BASIANI ENSEMBLE / MEGGY RUSTAMOVA

Georgian polyphony has been on UNESCO's list of intangible heritage since 2001. The polyphonic singing tradition - which is very different from our Western polyphony - will have a central place on the programme of europalia georgia. The renowned Georgian male choir Basiani is coming to Belgium for the first time and can be admired exclusively at DE SINGEL in combination with a video installation by Meggy Rustamova. The two films - (dis)Location and L’invitation au Voyage - in three different languages - Georgian, Russian and Assyrian - explore the relationship between language and image, between personal and historical identity, and examine how individual and collective memory is constructed. These short films are interspersed with traditional Georgian folk songs performed by the impressive Basiani ensemble. Identity, (mother) language, music and memories form a common thread both in the songs and the videos.

Credits

Choir: State Ensemble of Georgian Folk Song Basiani.

Video: Meggy Rustamova.

Light design: Peter Quasters.

Preparation of creative process: Timo Tembuyser.

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