The play "My Beloved Country" in Berlin 17 May 2026

"My beloved country" is a theater installation based on a documentary book by journalist Yelena Kostyuchenko, which became a bestseller in many countries.

The aim of the project is not merely to describe the state of Russia today, but rather to respond to shocking and sometimes shameful questions that have recently gained in importance: How can you maintain a relationship with your homeland that is sliding into evil? How can we at least begin to understand or accept people who are both victims and accomplices of this evil? Where is the line between lawlessness and indifference? The common thread that holds the play together is the author's personal story - her experiences in a world that many would rather not see. The production examines how reality is described and perceived. Autobiographical passages from the book - performed by a Russian-speaking actress - and documentary reports about people in Russia without rights who have been silenced - interpreted by European actors - are interwoven with visual and sound elements to create a multi-faceted, multi-layered narrative. The play is an attempt at translation - not only from language to language, but also from culture to culture, from one context to another. Is it even possible to explain a complex social and political reality? Can we understand each other if we leave the clichés and prefabricated narratives behind us?

We believe: yes.