Spoiler alert: No bears were hurt or exploited in the production of Umeås Folketshus middagsteater Cirkus Björn, Цирк Мечка or Circus Bear
I am a white woman born in Bulgaria. There we have a Muslim Turkish minority, settled mainly in the mountains where they run small animal farms. Hard working people, trying to make a living in a highly racists, segregated and KGB subservient mafia run country. There are other minorities, of which the Romani the largest.
In the 80s the Bulgarian Romani population was the victim of a social experiment: their travelling communities were split up into the smallest denominations of a family and “settled” in villages across the country. The idea was for their culture to be assimilated and erased. However, the rotten communist regime led to lack of politics that make sense, and officials that do their jobs. This was beneficial for the Romani population to a point, and they did not disappear. They instead multiplied: in dire poverty, disgusting segregation and inhumane conditions.
White Bulgarians weren’t much richer in the aftermath of The Berlin Wall Fall, but their hatred to their “lesser” neighbor only grew. The changes after The Fall were expected and even orchestrated by the Russian bear. They controlled the seizure of all industry and had their puppets in Bulgaria give false hope to the people one election after another. The media was, and still is, under their control, encouraging the division and hatred towards minorities, women, and every other disadvantaged group. Institutionalized discrimination. Divide and conquer. Divide and make sure the anger is aimed at the weak and defenseless, instead of the actual corrupt vermin.
Having to survive in a corrupt society where everything unethical is encouraged and praised, and where being kind and good is laughed upon, was impossible for people with values. Everyone who could escape escaped. I did too, twenty years ago.
I realise now that there are two good things the communist regime gave us – atheism, and women’s rights. And when I say “us”, it’s mostly those who managed to run away who appreciate it and actually took advantage. Because now it’s all back to the patriarchate and the Middle Ages. We had sexual education, knew about abortions. The Romani, who were isolated and did not send their children to school to be humiliated, weren’t so lucky. They had no information on family planning options. And here we arrive at the story about Björn circus’s owner and the loss of his only liveborn child.
Created and performed by Steph Molin and directed by his adoptive mother, the circus-show-musical-drama is set in the faded remains of a traveling circus on the Bulgarian countryside. Umeå visitors might have seen the photo and video exhibition on Dancing bear trainers in Gammlia last year. And anyway, everyone knows about Bridgitte Bardot “saving” the bears so the name of the circus and play evokes the cultural and historical connection to the Roma people whose livelihood this was.
The story follows Sali, a former circus director preparing what he insists will be his final performance. Beneath the spectacle lies a personal reckoning: he once gave up his child and now confronts the weight of that decision, searching his memories for meaning and redemption. Through a blend of contemporary circus, theatre, and music, the piece explores belonging, shame, love, and the fragile possibility of forgiveness—inviting the audience to consider how they might have acted in his place.
Steph Molin, who was adopted from Bulgaria at the age of 3, writes about his hopes and dreams of what might have been the reason for his abandonment by his flesh and blood. When asked if it still hurts, he says: “Every day. And this hurt carries my performance on stage.” Was there ever a letter? – he says he hopes so.
The work plays an additional game on the discriminatory status quo in Bulgaria which is the surprise in the end… I know I cried my eyes out; I believe even regular Swedish “dinner and show” goers felt the father’s pain for his child, and the child’s loss, even if they have never before seen a zigan.
Gästspel med romskt tema på Västerbottensteatern i veckan
You can see the show on 25 mars in Falkenberg
Anna
redaktionen@dikko.nu
Att vara en oberoende tidning, som inte har några bidrag, kostar pengar därför använder vi oss av crowdfunding. Det innebär att människor med små eller stora summor hjälper till att finansiera vår verksamhet. Magasin DIKKOs insamlingen sker via swish: 123 242 83 40 eller bg: 5534-0046
Vill du annonsera eller sponsra, synas eller höras i våra media?
Kontakta oss på redaktionen@dikko.nu
eller ring 0768 44 51 61
IBAN: SE19 9500 00
