When nature inspires our lives, stories of coexistence, both physical and mental, can born.
“The Boy and the Bear” is a new theatrical performance. The story was written and will be told live in Italian by Antony Hequet, Franco-American poet and composer, along with the animated shadow images created by Nadine Rennert, visual artist from Berlin.
The stage is set up in one of the ancient mills at the Industrial Archeology Park of Pettorano sul Gizio. The performance will go approximately one hour and is intended for both children and adults. The shows will be performed twice a day (from 15:00 to 16:00 and from 19:00 to 20:00) in these dates: 14 and 28 of August, 11 and 25 of September.
“The Boy and the Bear” combines multiple art forms: storytelling, music, shadow images, costume. The story was inspired by the presence of the Marsican brown bear in the Bear Smart Community Genzana, and it was written both in English and Italian in collaboration with the team of Rewilding Apennines.
The artists Antony Hequet and Nadine Rennert moved to the Central Apennines and relocated themselves in Pettorano sul Gizio with the goal of supporting the growing movement of rewilding with their arts. This movement promotes the protection and restoration of ecosystems, reintroduction of wild species where feasible, as well as new ways of living in harmony with nature.
In the name of the man-bear coexistence and the spirit of the Bear Smart Community, the artists’ approach and purposes have been shared with and supported also by other local institutions and organizations that promote this original theatrical performance: the Municipality of Pettorano sul Gizio, the Monte Genzana Alto Gizio Nature Reserve, the association Salviamo l’Orso and the Cooperative Valleluna.
Since 2017, the artists have been working together in the framework of the Gyre Project. The artists draw their inspiration from the land, the water, trees, animals and people. The story of “The Boy and the Bear” is an example of this inspiration as it unfolds in the Abruzzo.
Part of the tickets cost – 5 € for the adults and 3 € for children – will sponsor the bear conservation actions in the Central Apennines rewilding area. The event will also be accompanied by a small bear fair. As the seats are limited, it is recommendable to make a reservation by calling the Nature Reserve Office at 0864 487006 from 9:00 to13:00, or to write an email to info@rewilding-apennines.com
