Balkan Erotic Epic

Balkan Erotic Epic | Ballet

Balkan Music

Approximate running time: 2 hours

Eroticism, Balkan tradition, and performance in a work that challenges the limits of the body and perception.

After presenting 7 Deaths of Maria Callas at the Liceu in 2023, Serbian artist and mother of performance art Marina Abramović now brings Balkan Erotic Epic, one of her most daring and provocative works. This unclassifiable spectacle, positioned between dance and performance art, merges elements of performative tradition with sensuality and eroticism, reflecting Abramović’s ongoing exploration of the body, sexuality, and the limits of human experience. The piece is deeply rooted in the cultural context of the Balkans—a region steeped in history, conflict, and a rich cultural heritage—making it not only an aesthetic challenge but also a profound reflection on identity and the political and social tensions of the territory.

In Balkan Erotic Epic, Abramović fuses eroticism with Balkan folklore and mythology, creating a work of striking visual and emotional power. Beyond being an exploration of eroticism, the piece delves into the emotions, tensions, and contradictions inherent in the region’s culture. The artist uses the body not only as a means of expression but also as a space to challenge social and political norms related to sexuality, violence, and power.

The work is structured as a series of performative acts that intertwine elements of dance, theater, music, and multimedia. The piece stands out for its striking visual imagery, featuring a series of provocative and symbolically charged representations designed to alter and challenge perception. Through the use of dance and movement, the performers and dancers convey intense emotions, often infused with a primal and untamed energy, while the music—mostly rooted in Balkan traditions—enhances the piece’s unique atmosphere.

One of the most striking aspects of Balkan Erotic Epic is its ability to integrate the physical and psychological dimensions into a visual narrative. Eroticism is not merely portrayed on a superficial level; it becomes a language that expresses both the beauty and the violence of human relationships. The piece explores how desire, passion, and power are intricately intertwined, challenging conventional notions of gender and sexuality while encouraging the audience to confront their own biases and expectations regarding these themes.

In terms of staging, the work employs a symbolic use of space and lighting to reinforce its visceral and evocative atmosphere. The minimalist yet highly effective set design focuses attention on the performers’ bodies, fully immersed in a series of rituals, movements, and gestures that often blur the line between the grotesque and the sublime. The bodies become objects of desire, conflict, and power. The latest creation by Marina Abramović—an unpredictable artist and a living legend—takes the stage at the Gran Teatre del Liceu.

Program and cast

Concept and artistic direction - Marina Abramović

Choreography - Blenard Azizaj

Direction - Georgine Balk

Scenography - Anna Schöttl

Costumes - Roksanda Ilinčić

Composition - Marko Nikodijević

Lighting - Urs Schönebaum

Sound - Luka Kozlovacki

Commissioned by - Factory International, Manchester, Berliner Festspiele and Gran Teatre del Liceu

Production - Factory International, Manchester