Reconectando

As I observe with awe the ways in which ImaginAction has been evolving into a hub of art practitioners I feel deeply moved and inspired to continue my localized work in Colombia. Our project Reconectando is once again offering laboratories in different areas of Colombia bringing together ex-combatants, victims and community organizers to explore together with nature the process of healing.

On May 22 the international day of biodiversity we will be launching our Theater for Reconciliation project called “Territorio Sagrado”. (“Sacred Territory”). With a team of artists and 7 powerful women we are co-creating a play inspired by the principles of Theater of Witness (Teya Sepinuk). These women have been chosen because of their stories of woundedness and recovery as they deal with the ravaging effects of the war in Colombia. Their voices are woven with the voice of mother nature, also a victim of war as well as our most ancient teacher and healer.

Our plan is to premiere the play in Medellin Colombia at Teatro Matacandelas and to be part of the celebration of the report that will be presented to the world by The Truth Commission. In 2022 we will be editing a filmed version of the play as well as a documentary of this unique process of creation that has combined theatre, deep ecology and healing rituals among the participants. The protagonists will then be able to travel to different places with the films and offer spaces for reconciliation and social dialogue. This is another form in which we wish to contribute to the legacy of the report given by the Truth Commission and how art can contribute to heal the wounds of our recent bloody history.

Finally, I am also very honored to be working with Dreaming Action in offering theater and eco-psicosocial programs while working with eco-masculinity or masculinity at the service of life. I am also accompanying teams in the preparation of social dialogue and reconciliation between communities and leaders of both paramilitary and FARC guerrilla. For the delivery of this delicate work I deeply appreciate all the opportunities I had for learning and experimenting with post conflict while working with the Derry Playhouse in Northern Ireland. That was also the place where we were able to develop nine internships with ImaginAction that we wish to continue evolving with our mentoring program. I am deeply moved and inspired to see that many of the people that came through that process are now leading us in this new era of ImaginAction’s work.