Embracing the Margins: Saye Theater at OFF Avignon 2024

For the fifth time, Iran Saye Theater proudly participated in the OFF Avignon Festival, this time with our production of Persephone. We emphasize OFF because everything that transpires within the vibrant streets and squares of Avignon for a month, everything captured in exciting films and photos, belongs to this independent spirit. It is the OFF Avignon, not the main festival confined to a few halls and closed doors, that truly embodies the essence of discovery and freedom. Saye Theater has graced prestigious stages and remote corners of the world. For us, the prestige of the venue is secondary. Our participation in OFF Avignon holds immense value: it signifies our commitment to exploring the boundaries of theatre. We believe in the inherent connection between theatre and democracy, and true democracy never thrives in the center. The center exerts an inescapable gravitational pull, swallowing dissent like a black hole. This is why we choose to stand with the “non-chosen,” those who operate outside the confines of conventional recognition

We are fortunate to share this conviction with our French collaborators, a partnership we have cultivated for years. Our performance of Persephone, featuring Fahimeh Hormazi, Sajieh Ashouri, and the collaborative talents of Benyamin Esbati, Parsa Youset, Farnoosh Naderpour, Narges Sadeghian, Mehdi Mashhour, and Sara Rasoulinejad, took place from July 14th to 16th, 2024. The postcard below, left by two audience members, embodies the true essence of theatre for us: a powerful reminder of the profound connection between artists and the audience. It is this connection, forged in the heart of the OFF Avignon, that truly enriches our artistic journey.