Trip to Berlin, Germany

10 -13 November 2021

As part of the EU project

FREEWAY – 607510-CREA-1-2019-1-IT-CULT-COOP1

 

Although my time in Berlin was short it was definitely sweet, I was already aware of aufBruchs work by the time I got to see them in person from the many stories and some clips I got to see before.

But I was still completely blown away. They have worked a very long time in the prisons there and have become apart of the Berlin prison experience and I see why. From the beginning when I was entering the prison which looked like a castle until the end of the crazily well acted performance I was captivated. The way they used their surroundings as their stage. The way they used the walkway and the cells was enthralling and even though it was very unconventional it really worked in their story. These types of performances show us that inspite of the mistakes some of these people have made there is still an incredible amount of talent within them. I could really tell that all the prisoners were really enjoying themselves and that this really meant a lot to them especially in the end when they were giving their interview with the audience. It was one of the coolest experiences of my life and I will never forget it.

 

Kristo Crushkov

UPSDA

Trip to Wroclaw

27 – 31 October  2021

As part of the EU project

FREEWAY – 607510-CREA-1-2019-1-IT-CULT-COOP1

 

The Granice/Borders festival in Wroclaw was an incredible experience. Going to the Prison and getting to see the work of Diego up close was amazing, you could really tell that the prisoners were enjoying their time away from their usual struggles and horrible conditions they must put up with in their day to day lives. Although the prison clearly did not have the standards of the ones in Italy and Germany the spirit of the people was clearly still there. I really loved every activity and workshop we did, the opening gallery was fantastic as the pictures taken were incredible considering they weren’t posing for them. The performance from the womans prison was gripping and it really made me re think my privilege in society as a man. The performance of Cain and Abel was also captivating and I felt the topic was perfectly chosen. And even though because of Covid and permissions the prisoners themselves could not perform both performances from the male and female prisons were very engaging and that is due to the creativity of Jubilo and the rest of the people involved. The whole festival was absolutely amazing and it was an honour to be there.

 

Kristo Crushkov

UPSDA

  

Trip to Modena

27 – 30 July 2021

As part of the EU project

FREEWAY – 607510-CREA-1-2019-1-IT-CULT-COOP1

 

When I was entering the bus and getting ready for the experience ahead of me I felt kind of nervous, what would a prison in Italy be like? Would it be as intimidating as the prisons I knew. But upon entering the Castelfranco Emilia prison all my worries were gone. There were rabbits hoping around and listening to the story of Odissea (although I needed to read the translation to understand it) made me very excited about what I was about to witness. And me being excited was justified, I’d never expected such a performance from people who have had heir freedom taken from them. The performances from each and every one of the prisoners were amazing and I know it is almost a cliché to say at this point but they were like professionals. But not just like professionals because for me, in that moment they were professionals. The whole performance was spectacular and I was incredibly amazed by the production of the whole thing. I still can’t comprehend how there was a waterfall inside the prison itself for the performance. Overall the whole festival was amazing and it was an unforgettable experience.

 

Kristo Crushkov

UPSDA