Leon Marič: Küšni me (Kiss me)

31.05.2024

When the Prekmurje pozvačin knocks on the door of your house with the four corners, you know that an important event is about to take place in the village. Two people you may not necessarily know have decided to tie the knot, and the pozvačin’s job is to invite the villagers to their big wedding. The pozvačin must fulfil this important, perhaps even honourable task with joy and ingenuity, albeit somewhat awkwardly.

Leon Marič’s dance debut is based on the still living tradition of the pozvačin (a wedding summoner) and places it alongside his own identity. Although at first glance it seems that Slovenian cultural heritage and the freedom of expression of the contemporary individual have little in common, it is precisely in their confrontation that the performance finds parallels between them, which are most evident in the author’s many “firsts". The roots of the tradition in which he grew up run through him, as do elements of queer (night) culture that have helped him to emancipate himself. Looking at the ritual character of the jocular heroes of Slovenian folklore, it is not difficult to recognise similar levers and potentials in queer manifestations. Just as pozvačin invites us to a large group celebration of a couple's love, queer invites us to a group celebration of diverse, universal love – two expressions of love and celebration, this time fused in the author himself.

Tickets: https://www.mojekarte.si/en/kusni-me/tickets-1184157.html