Written works, emphasizing storytelling and narrative style. - Theater director: "1984" serves as the defining book for the current era.
George Orwell's novel "1984" has remained relevant for theater director Luk Perceval even 75 years after it was first published. The story portrays a world of totalitarian surveillance. During his school years, Perceval had read the book but considered it more of a science fiction tale that didn't captivate him as a teen.
His perspective shifted two years ago when he was in Berlin and the Ukrainian war began. The city's atmosphere was filled with uncertainty, the presence of more refugees, and a feeling of being stuck between three powerful blocs - the Anglo-American, Chinese, and Russian ones. This mirrored the setting of "1984".
"During that time, I suddenly thought, 'This is the novel for this age,'" said Perceval, who staged Orwell's story at the Berliner Ensemble. "We're currently in a period where we're constantly monitored and controlled by marketing mechanisms, with our smartphones keeping an eye on us." For the 67-year-old, the story's impact was stronger than ever upon his recent rereading. "1984" was published on June 8, 1949.
