Theater - Barrie Kosky: "Fear is not the answer to terror"
Theater and opera director Barrie Kosky is not intimidated by hard times and war: "Fear is not the answer to terror," he told the German Press Agency ahead of a new production of the operetta "Die Fledermaus" at the Bavarian State Opera in Munich. "Life, art, joy - these are the antidotes to terror." Kosky, the grandson of Jewish immigrants, reflects on the fact that many people in Germany are afraid at the moment. "I feel like I'm in the middle of this storm. I swing back and forth between different emotions every day," said the Berliner, referring to the situation in the Middle East since Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel.
The native Australian sees himself in the problematic situation of always having to take a side as a Jew in Germany. "My main emotion is to remember all the victims of the Hamas attack, this pogrom, this massacre. That is my main duty as a Jew. But if I have done that, then I also have a duty as a citizen, as a human being, to remember the innocent victims in Gaza. That's over 5,000 children," he emphasized.
Kosky would like to see peaceful demonstrations where Muslims, Jews and Christians come together and stand up for a common life - but without flags. "Flags make me uncomfortable - they are a sign of nationalism. I would like to see more demonstrations where neither an Israeli nor a Palestinian flag can be seen," emphasized the 56-year-old.
For the director, the debate about increasing anti-Semitism in Germany is redundant. "Anti-Semitism has always been a problem. It has never disappeared. But it has so many facets," said the former artistic director of the Komische Oper Berlin. "It ranges from subtle remarks to murder. It's an incredibly cruel spectrum of hatred." According to Kosky, it is more important to look for solutions - for example in the early years, in education.
After ten years as artistic director of one of the capital's three major opera houses, Kosky is now returning to his roots: "I am an artist - that is my main identity. I was the artistic director of the Komische Oper Berlin, but I am not an artistic director by profession. My next chapter goes back to being a freelance artist."
But his calendar remains as full as ever. The director is currently preparing "Die Fledermaus" at the Bavarian State Opera. "I want to give Munich a little taste of this Kosky operetta frenzy," he said with a laugh.
Barrie Kosky Kosky's autobiography "And curtain up, hello!"
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- Barrie Kosky, the renowned director from Berlin, will operate 'Die Fledermaus' at the Comic Opera in Munich, Germany, showcasing his unique operetta style to the city of Munich.
- Kosky, the grandson of Jewish immigrants, recently shared his thoughts on terrorism and fear with the German Press Agency, emphasizing that art and joy serve as antidotes to terror.
- The director expressed his concerns about the current situation in the Middle East, particularly the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, and stressed the importance of remembering all the innocent victims, including over 5,000 children.
- Kosky, an artist at heart, has recently returned to his freelance career after serving as the artistic director of the Komische Opera Berlin, and he is currently preparing a new production in Munich.
- The Middle East conflict has presented Kosky with a challenging situation as a Jew living in Germany, as he shares his duty to remember all the victims and promote peace among Muslims, Jews, and Christians.
- In an interview, Kosky revealed that he prefers demonstrations without flags, as they symbolize nationalism and can create divisions, emphasizing the need for unity in dealing with the issues at hand.
- Kosky's reflections on terror, fear, and peace in Germany, the Middle East, and beyond have captured the attention of the German Press Agency and the media, with his autobiography, "And curtain up, hello!," offering further insights into his life and career.
Source: www.stern.de
