Peter Sellars

At the start of the twenty-first century the world is home to about twenty million refugees, more than half of whom are women and children. Never before in the history of mankind has this figure been so high. This is precisely why the American theatre and opera director decided to stage 'The Children of Herakles' for the 2002 RuhrTriennale. It was to become a classic, moving piece which, with great enthusiasm, we would like to offer you at the end of the season. Euripides, who wrote this Greek tragedy two thousand five hundred years ago, confronts us with the question of how to escape the ever-recurring spiral of violence. The evening begins with an interview on stage with local refugees and people professionally involved with this issue. The discussion is chaired by the VRT journalist Stefan Blommaert. This is followed by 'The Children of Herakles'. After Herakles' (Hercules) death, his children are banished by the hostile regime. After many wanderings they reach the city of Athens, the cradle of democracy, where they request and are given asylum. Athens does this even though it means risking war.