Dear Laila
The seeds of «Dear Laila» were planted when Basel’s five-year-old daughter Laila began to ask him about his home growing up. Unable to take her there, he decided he would try to bring the place to her, by creating a model of his childhood home in Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp in Damascus.
The installation shares the Palestinian experience of displacement and struggle through the story of one family. Using retelling of memories and tactile details, it explores how war and exile are experienced through the everyday, the domestic, and the public space – to bring this now destroyed place to life.
The spectators visit the installation individually. Please book your slot. If there are free slots, the spontaneous visits are also possible.
Basel Zaraa is a UK-based Palestinian installation artist whose work uses the senses to bring audiences closer to experiences of exile and the search for identity.
Relaxed Performance
The performance is relaxed and for one person at a time. The person is alone in the room and follows the instructions. There are no performers. The person is not expected to sit still. The person may stop and leave the room during the performance. There are no loud noises.
The performance lasts 15 minutes.
There is a relaxed space in the Festival Centre where you can retreat at any time. This is accessible as soon as the Festival Centre is open. The relaxed space is signalled and there are visual protections around it. It contains a sofa, a few beanbags, dimmed lights and sensory tools.
For people with mobility disabilities
The Festival Centre is accessible barrier-free. There is a small ramp on the way to the hall. The Grosse Halle has a barrier-free toilet.
Special Check-In
We offer the possibility of a Special Check-In. If for any reason you would like to be accompanied, would like to be picked up at the bus station or require assistance due to a mobility restriction, please contact us in advance: checkin@auawirleben.ch
Someone from the team will accompany you according to your needs.
Social Story
Social Stories are used as a tool to prepare people for public events such as theatre performances. In our Social Stories you will find a description for each performance, what situation to expect at the venue and what customs apply there. You can find the PDF for the Social Story (in German) of the Festival Centre here.
- By
- Basel Zaraa
- Translation and Script
- Emily Churchill Zaraa
- Sound technology
- Peter Churchill
Commissioned by: Good Chance Theatre
With support from: Arts Council England