How is it possible that Frisians are the happiest people in the Netherlands? Tryater will investigate this the next four years under the name “It gelok fan Fryslân” (the happiness of Friesland). For Tatiana Pratley, it is her first theater project as artistic director at Tryater. The first edition in 2020 will produce the largest happiness poem ever, made from the answers people give to the question what makes them happy. This poem is the starting point for theatrical walks.
At the moment, letterboxes are being placed in the Frisian villages Marssum, Roordahuizum, Cornjum, Kollum, Veenwouden, Jorwerd, Wommels, Wijnaldum, Oostermeer and Wijckel. Tryater distributes postcards throughout Friesland, with the question what makes you happy. The completed cards can be put in the mailboxes or sent back to Tryater. Of all the answers, the longest happiness poem ever will be composed.
From late August to mid-October Tryater settles in one of the villages every week. Based on the poem, a theatrical audio walk is made, in partnership with the community. A different route in each village, a different experience every week. Because the happiness of Oostermeer is different from the happiness of Jorwerd or Wijnaldum. Like a caravan of happiness, Tryater moves from place to place, giving everyone a surprising and poetic experience.
Frisians are not the richest, but the happiest people in the Netherlands. If money is not decisive for the happiness of Friesland, then what is? Aukje Schaafsma, Karel Hermans and Tatiana Pratley will research the topic for four years. Every year in a different place and in a different form. The inhabitants of Friesland always play an important role.
artistic direction and concept: Tatiana Pratley, Aukje Schaafsma, Karel Hermans; direction: Brecht Wassenaar, Janneke de Haan, Raymond Muller, Trieneke Verbeek, Theun Plantinga, Eline de Vries, Ekko de Bakker, Tamara Schoppert, Romke Gabe Draaijer, Sjoerd Blom; text: the community, poem: Sytse Jansma; music: Peter Sijbeng
