Even the Mountains Move

The sun, the moon, the stars, the sky, the earth manifested themselves with the signs of war, of suffering, of plague.
– Guillaume de Machaut, 1349

In the 14th century, the Black Death killed half of Europe’s population. There was no cure. From a safe distance of seven centuries, it may seem that time heals all wounds, but back then things looked different. One of the survivors was famous French composer and poet Guillaume de Machaut. His music is simultaneously beautiful and complex, strange and familiar. The contrast between the collapse of society and Machaut’s sublime creations is striking.

In the duet Even the Mountains Move Roosna and Flak explore the magic of the mundane. Within every moment there is an enormous space, containing entire worlds and stories of near and distant pasts. Stories that support and comfort us in dark times: that life has always found a way, even when all hope is lost. That we are the survivors. That there are treasures to be found within a broken jewellery box. That a woolen sock can take us back to grandmother’s sofa. That a long-dead composer can speak about what it means to be alive.

The new performance by Külli Roosna and Kenneth Flak is being created in collaboration with Sõltumatu Tantsu Lava and Endla Theatre.

Choreography and performance: Külli Roosna and Kenneth Flak
Music: Kenneth Flak in collaboration with Külli Roosna
Video and sensor programming: Kenneth Flak
Text: Külli Roosna, Kenneth Flak, Guillaume de Machaut
Costume design: Ursula Goldstein
Light design: Ivar Piterskihh
Dramaturgical advice: Leonora Palu