WE ARE VERY SORRY TO CANCEL THIS THEATER! Members of the Amed City Theater were arrested on April 24th, and some of them are not allowed to leave the country. In the run-up to the Turkish elections, they are suspected of “links to terrorism”. This is part of the never-ending repression of the Turkish regime against Kurds.

The Kurdish Institute presents … “Tartuffe” performed by the Amed City Theater “Şanoya Bajêr a Amedê”

“Le Tartuffe” or “the Imposter“ is a well-known comedy by Molière. With the necessary humor, the Kurdish theater company from Amed (Diyarbakir) has turned this true classic into a contemporary indictment against hypocrisy and a morally hollowed-out society.

The theater company comes from Northern Kurdistan (Southeast Turkey) and is touring Western Europe with this performance for a number of weeks. The Kurdish region where they come from was severely affected by the devastating earthquakes in February 2023. The gainings are therefore entirely intended for aid to the affected population.

In the interest of authenticity, this play is performed in the Kurdish language (Kurmancî). Subtitles are also projected.

Comedy Summary: Tartuffe awakens the dozing, decadent family of wealthy banker Orgon with a feverish litany about a degenerate society. Orgon, father of two children and remarried to Elmire, lives in great wealth. There is money, there are friends. However, Orgon falls under the spell of the troublemaker and loses himself in a spiritual delirium. He brings Tartuffe into the house and gives him his daughter’s hand. He gives him his estate and disinherits his son. It is only when he notices that Tartuffe is seducing his wife Elmire that the scales fall from his eyes. But then it’s already too late.