European Humanities University Drama Theatre’s play “Flame”. XXVI INTERNATIONAL FORUM OF UNIVERSITY THEATRES “ANBO” CODE

“FLAME”
Yauheniya Prokharava
Theatrical reading

Directed by Marina Shoda and Alexander Marchenko

The play is based on two sources: the memoirs of Latvian sculptor Elmar Rivoš, who ended up in the Riga ghetto with his family in 1941, and the stories of Janis Lipkas, a Latvian who was recognised as a Righteous Among the Nations and who saved 56 people during the war.

The play became the basis for a theatrical reading for EHU 4th year students.

Duration 1 hour. 40 min.

The Forum is an annual event that brings together the university theatre community since 2000 and will be held for the 26th time this year. It brings together academic young people interested in theatre for joint theatre activities, organises showcases of performances, gives them the opportunity to get to know each other, to interact and exchange experiences. The Forum is always dedicated to a theme or an important anniversary, with the aim of drawing public attention to social, cultural, civic and heritage issues relevant to young people.

One hundred years ago, Antanas Gustaitis, an aeronautical engineer, built a Lithuanian airplane at his own expense and named it “ANBO”. The Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania proclaims 2025 as the Year of ANBO and the Year of Lithuanian Aviation Creators.

The interesting, inspiring and tragic story of the Lithuanian aviation creators is worthy of no film, book or play. By dedicating this forum to the centenary of the ANBO and the Year of Lithuanian Aviation Creators, we are not only trying to draw attention to the glorious beginnings of Lithuanian aviation between the wars, but also to find links to the present.

The mystery of what the constructor and aviator Antanas Gustaitis coded in the name “ANBO” remains unsolved. His contemporaries, Lithuanian pilots, interpreted it as Antanas wants to be in the air. Others see in the name a combination of the names of the designer himself and his wife: Antanas and Bronė. Or maybe it is the DNA code of a youthful, creative, patriotic personality, which allows one to achieve significant results in any sphere with diligence and stubbornness, to “conquer mountains”?
What do you think? Maybe you can find the answer by attending the Forum performances? We are waiting for you!