Galván and El Khatib Explore Fatherhood in New Performance

Israeli choreographer Israel Galván and Moroccan artist Mohamed El Khatib are set to present a new performance that delves into the challenging dynamics of father-son relationships. Titled "Israel Galván e Mohamed El Khatib aprenderam a amar o pai para não terem de o odiar" (Israel Galván and Mohamed El Khatib Learned to Love Their Father So They Wouldn't Have to Hate Him), the work is scheduled to be featured at the Almada Festival.

The performance is described as an "accounting of accounts" where the two artists confront the "tyrannical fathers" who, through misguided love, attempted to "castrate" them. This exploration of familial conflict and the struggle for independence promises a powerful emotional journey for the audience.

With a tone that shifts between "hilarious" and "tear-jerking," the piece aims to capture the complex emotional spectrum associated with such deeply personal experiences. It reflects the artists' journey of learning to reconcile with their paternal figures, transforming potential hatred into a form of love, perhaps as a means of achieving emotional liberation.

The collaboration between Galván, known for his innovative approach to flamenco, and El Khatib, recognized for his raw and personal storytelling, suggests a unique and compelling theatrical experience. The performance is expected to resonate with audiences grappling with similar themes of family legacy and personal identity.

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Israel & Mohamed, who will be at the Almada Festival, is the settling of accounts of two prodigal sons with the tyrannical fathers who, out of love, tried to castrate them. A bomb: here hilarious, there tear-jerking.