"TAVAJ!" is a project initiated by Renzo van Steenbergen, Alissa Šnaider and Päär Pärenson. The aim of this project is to investigate the small differences between Estonians and the Russian speaking minority living in Estonia. Using language, cultural background and daily habits the stage will be transformed into a world that symbolizes the transition field between these differences.
Three people, all from different background, will be working together, giving and taking impulses and substance from each other. The aim is to involve as much people as possible in the research by sharing ideas, opinions and experiences.
The situation proceeds to be neither a competition either a coalition between the different people. After all everything originates from the people's mind.
With this research, the performance and its process we will question broader behavior between the different cultures. How much are we controlled by 'unconscious prejudice' mechanisms in society and our everyday lives? Language and daily habits are parts of our social identity. We think that we understand who our fellow citizens are and how they are really doing... but reality is that most of the time we hardly understand even the simplest cultural differences.
How will it end if we try to reconstruct and solve the battle between different backgrounds, norms and values now in 2009? Will this research be only about the difference between Russian-Estonians and Estonians living in Estonia or is it possible to see the similarities with other countrys and situations globally.
With our Facebook group we will try to involve you to think about certain ideas and maybe answer certain questions about the topic as well as to keep you updated on the process and its outcome.
The research will be used and developed into a performance which will be performed in Kanuti Gildi Saal, Tallinn . The Premiere is 4th of November and playdates 6, 16, and 17 November.
'TAVAJ' from renzo van Steenbergen on Vimeo.