Zarathustra: A Philosophical Performance Series
Each chapter unfolded a distinct world:
Descension – The Beginning
In the intimate setting of Shams Theater, the series opened with a seated performance where Nietzsche’s words echoed through German, Arabic, and English readings, accompanied by playback music by LudoWic and the expressive presence of contemporary dancer Emran Alamareen. The audience was drawn into a contemplative descent — a first step into the emotional and philosophical landscapes of Zarathustra.
Realisation – The Journey
At the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts, the boundaries between audience and stage dissolved. The space transformed into an imaginary train station where participants wandered freely among live readings and stirring music performed by Katherine Hreib, Mohammad Kafena, and guest vocalist and live looper Catherine Brookman. Here, Nietzsche’s philosophy became a living current, flowing between voice, sound, and movement.
Ascension – The Becoming
Beneath the open skies at Tajalla in Jabal Amman, the final chapter took root. A live sculptor shaped human clay into evolving forms, echoing Nietzsche’s vision of transformation, while Mohamad Kafena, Katherine Hreib, and Mohammad Bitar wove a haunting, organic soundscape. Guests circled the performance, bearing witness to the paradox of rising and rooting — a fitting culmination to the trilogy’s exploration of spirit and earth.
Through each chapter, audiences did not merely attend; they became part of an evolving experience where thought, emotion, and the physical world merged.
We are profoundly grateful to all the artists, collaborators, and participants who brought Zarathustra to life — and to our audiences, whose engagement turned ideas into shared realities.
Though the trilogy now comes to a close, the echoes of its questions — of transformation, freedom, and becoming — continue.
Credits
Concept, Curation & Direction: Zaid Alshurbaji
Choreography & Dance Performance: Emran Alamareen
Readers & Script Revision:
Amr Attieh (Arabic)
Min-Dju Jansen (German)
Rania Lee (English)
Music
Music Composition Vol. 1: Thijs Lodewijk (LudoWic) – Super8 Memory Album
Live Music:
Vol. 2 & 3: Mohamad Kafena (guitar) & Katherine Hreib (trumpet)
Vol. 3: Mohammad Bitar (percussion)
Special Appearance (Vol. 2): Catherine Brookman (vocals & live looping)
Lighting Design: Ahmad Shehadeh
Sound Design & Engineering:
Vol. 1: Zaid Alshurbaji (Sound Engineer)
Vol. 2 & 3: Amjad Bashiti
Technical Audio Engineer: Sufian Alssaid
Costume Design & Wardrobe: Nora Saqqa
Actors: Ishaq Elias, Karam Yahya
Stage & Technical Support: Addy Dajjah, Mustapha Al Abdali, Saleem Al Ashqar, Yousef Al Haj, Ammar Obeidat, Bandar Maslamani
Catering: Lama Shehab
Videography & Editing: Ahmad Shehadeh
Photography: Ahmad Zaki