Performance "America"

Description

In 1863, a ship owned by a member of the Barcelona upper bourgeoisie, Juan Xifré, set sail from the port of Havana bound for Barcelona carrying his horses and a chained black slave, América, in the hold. Sick with desire and rage, he keeps America locked up in the stables until she dies crying out for revenge. On September 11, 2021, an unexpected visit to the Xifré-Vidal mansion brings to light the darkest secrets of the family, and the life and death of America are present. Text of the director and/or the author

ABOUT AMERICA

It is curious how little we can get to know or how much we can get to "forget" about the history of the place where we live, of our city, of our country. We know and remember and celebrate historical events that make us feel good, that show us as compassionate and generous winners or long-suffering, brave and heroic losers. But the darkest episodes, those in which we have plundered, massacred or enslaved other peoples to increase our power and wealth, no, these facts are not known, they are not remembered, they are silenced, as if not remembering them could erase them. . Barcelona and Catalonia are what they are today because a very important part of our bourgeoisie got rich from the African slave trade, and some of these families still hold economic power in the banking, real estate, hotel and maritime trade sectors. . Looking this part of our history in the face hurts (or should). It's ugly, uncomfortable and forces us to rethink the idea we have of ourselves as a society. All nations, all countries, all societies have their lights and shadows, and ours, the Catalan, is no exception. And if we really want to be a mature society, a democratically mature society that wants to advance and be better, more tolerant, more inclusive, healthier and an example for others every day, we must look back and assume our share of responsibility in history. As dark as it is. As uncomfortable as it may seem. No matter how bad we did it. And if it is necessary to apologize, ask for it. America is about exactly that.

Sergio Pompermayer

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