Erhard Loretan's legacy celebrated in new stage production 'Loretan and me'

The spirit of renowned mountaineer Erhard Loretan, a celebrated figure in alpine history, recently graced the stage in Les Diablerets. Loretan, who had previously shared his daring ascents at the festival, was symbolically honored in a performance that resonated with his adventurous legacy.

"Loretan and me," a theatrical piece created last fall, is not a straightforward biography but rather a "novel brought to life on stage." Sara Oswald, the writer and performer, has crafted a work that she describes as a "declaration of love" to the legendary alpinist. Despite never having met Loretan, Oswald's performance delves into his life, weaving a narrative that recomposes his experiences alongside others.

Oswald's artistic approach relies on a powerful combination of music, her own voice, and carefully placed silences. Through these elements, she reconstructs Loretan's life and the lives intertwined with his, creating a deeply personal and evocative theatrical experience. The performance aims to capture the essence of Loretan's passion for climbing, echoing his own words about the driving force of love in the pursuit of extreme challenges.

In a past interview with The Alpine Journal, Loretan reflected on his youthful passion for climbing, stating, "I think we were young, in love with climbing. When you are in love, you are ready for anything; it was not a sacrifice." This sentiment of love as a guiding principle, transcending sacrifice, seems to be the core inspiration behind Oswald's tribute.

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I think we were young, in love with climbing. When you are in love, you are ready for anything; it was not a sacrifice.