08 July | The beginning

And so begins Shilpee Theatre's journey to Europe.

As the adventure begins, JGU Magazine has just published a preview article. Many thanks to Gerd Blase for his support and the very kind words.

To the JGU article (in German)

The main organisers in Cologne are Tabea Kötter (actress) and Robert Christott (actor and headmaster), who invited Yubaraj and me to their podcast a few days ago. Thank you very much for this wonderful exchange and all your commitment. If you feel like listening in, here is the link.

To the podcast (in English)

Alexandra Eisen has also published an article for us in the Wiesbadener Kurier and the AZ Mainz. Many thanks for that!

To the article (in German | PDF)

Julian Burmeister from SWR2 Kultur interviewed me about the Nepal guest performance. Thank you very much for your support! A family member happened to hear the interview on the radio in hospital and was delighted to hear my voice.

To the SWR radio interview (in German)

My dear friend Mathias has described my current life wonderfully in a mini-scene: Phip: ‘Dear God, I haven't had enough of all my creative projects yet! Please send me something I can really get my teeth into!’ And the Lord said, ‘I will send you a theatre group from faraway ...’

09 July | Arrival in Germany

Eight sunflowers for eight wonderful people who arrive in Europe. Six of them for the very first time in their life. It's almost a miracle to be able to welcome these people to my home. . Beautiful how journeys come back to you, friendships take deeper root, the world becomes smaller when friendships, creative passion and a pinch of madness come together...

The reunion. A cocktail of emotions, ranging from overwhelming joy to sheer delight! I can hardly believe it's real. I think everyone else feels the same way. Anita has brought pretzels. ‘Welcome to Germany.’

Luckily, Ram and Maike came by car, because the group has quite a lot of luggages with them for their performances. I can't imagine how they're going to transport it across Europe. But somehow it must be possible... In accordance with Nepalese custom, Ram and Maike greet us warmly with khatas – ritual scarves as a sign of welcome. I love this tradition.

Pabitra, I've missed you so much!

‘Why don't you make cheese spaetzle?’ my parents suggested. It's a traditional dish from southern Germany that tastes delicious and is very tasty. So yesterday, I spent some time in the kitchen and made over 2 kg, which is now in the oven with cheese and cream...

Result … Can anyone tell me how to translate ‘Spätzle’ into English? ‘Little Sparrows’? :D

Somehow we managed to get past all the construction sites in Mainz and into our shared flat's garden. I don't think I've ever hosted so many guests before. Thanks to my wonderful flatmates for making this possible. My visitors are thrilled with the garden, student life... and the Spätzle are a big hit too.

Jet lag is slowly kicking in. It's going to be a long day for the group – their bodies are crying out for sleep in the afternoon. But unfortunately, they still have to continue on the ICE train to their first stop, Freiburg. Of course, Deutsche Bahn wants to make a good impression right away and shines with delays. Time for us to organise SIM cards, charging cables... whatever you need to communicate on a journey... In all the organisational hustle and bustle, I am overwhelmed and happy that everyone has arrived safely. That the adventure is off to such a good start. Thanks also to everyone who has already donated. That is opening doors and gates for people right now. Warmest regards from the bottom of my heart.

10 & 11 July | Freiburg

12 - 14 July | Freiburg Shows

One event ends, the next one starts right away. Today I'm off to Freiburg for the first show of the Shilpee European tour. I'm reminded of a quote from Yuba that he blogged a few days ago. Loosely translated, it says: ‘Living a dream often means losing sleep.’

While Yubaraj is running a workshop with Anita, the main organiser from Freiburg, the small black box stage at the Cargo Theatre is being set up. Unfortunately, the projector is not working properly and it takes us almost two hours to get everything up and running.

Rabin (lights) Sushilas (sound) and Anup (video) try to adapt to the new environment as quickly as possible. They adjust lights and fix last-minute problems.

I have prepared German subtitles on my laptop. Unfortunately, we have to decide whether to project them or use English subtitles together with the planned background videos. Unfortunately, there isn't enough time for both. So we'll go with the latter.

Since the stage is unfamiliar, the ensemble decides to run through the entire play. This is how I experience the play I have been translating over the last few days for the first time.

Meeting Nora again, who now lives in Emmendingen. Unfortunately, with all the hustle and bustle just before the show, there is little time to chat. Nevertheless, I immediately feel at home in her presence.

After hours of working in the dark, quickly grab something to eat. Anita discusses the introduction with Yuba.

Then the tension rises in the backstage area: everyone slips into their costumes, puts on their make-up and prepares for what is about to happen: the first Shilpee show in Europe. ‘Toi toi toi, as we say here in Germany,’ I explain, wishing everyone good luck.

Despite numerous competing events this evening, the theatre is packed to the rafters. Marcelo and Anita give a short introductory speech. It's so incredibly wonderful that the guest performance is finally happening.

Although the play is complex, I think most people can follow it well. Of course, thanks to the subtitles, but also thanks to the stage design, video projections, sound effects, costumes and music, which are used to create atmosphere. What I enjoy most is the intense acting of the four performers, who give everything emotionally.

I am so proud of the group. Of this wonderful start to the tour. I smile at all eight members of the audience and make a heart gesture during the applause, which is immediately replied by everyone on stage.

Long conversation in the evening. Pabitra, Suhana and Sushila are in high spirits and sing a few songs. After midnight, everyone cycles back to their host families. Since we share the same route home, I invite Pabitra and Anup for a beer. They are fascinated by Freiburg's nightlife. Although we are all exhausted, we enjoy the moment. With such a tightly packed tour schedule, it's also really important to celebrate the little moments.

15 & 16 July | Cologne Show

I couldn't resist going to see the Cologne performance. Actually, I had enough to do at work, but how often does this group come here? So I spontaneously took a day off and jumped on the train. Off to the Box Theatre.

Tabea is studying acting at the theatre academy Cologne. We've been on the phone and texting so much over the last few months. But we only met for the first time today. That alone made the little trip worthwhile. It's so nice to finally meet this wonderful person.

The Box Theatre is small but beautiful. The Shilpee Crew seems very relaxed. Last minor changes. Stretching exercises. Make-up. Adjusting the lights...

Anup has been working all night to resolve the issue with the German subtitles. Yuba has contacted someone in Kathmandu to enter my translation into the software. The first bits of German text are already being projected.

Unfortunately, the English preview isn't working, so Anup can't operate it. Twenty minutes before the performance begins, Yuba and Anup come up to me: ‘Can you imagine operating the German subtitles?’ My adrenaline level immediately rises. I don't understand a word of Nepali. It's like flying blind without a prior run-through. On the other hand, I now know the rhythm of the play quite well. And Anup is sitting right next to me and can explain to me in English where we are if I lose track. ‘All right, let's give it a try.’

It works. I can follow along very well and keep up with the heartbeat of the play. In my head, it's almost as if Sumit and Pabitra are speaking German. Anup is also thrilled: ‘It works really well!’

A truly wonderful premiere in Cologne... Many people from the audience are still talking. Germans and many Nepalese who live here in Germany. I am particularly pleased that the translation was so well received. I only had the English as a basis, from which I have detached myself somewhat. Many thanks to the English translator Bansri, without whom this would never have been possible.

So many wonderful people. One woman told me, ‘I used to go to Shilpee in Kathmandu a lot when my daughter, who's now all grown up, was two years old. I've been living in Germany for eight years now, and when I heard about this guest performance, we just had to come. There were so many moments in the play when I forgot for a second that I was here in Germany. It was like being back in Nepal.’

Anup also introduces me to a friend he has told me a lot about. ‘We met ten years ago in Kathmandu. How wonderful that you are now in Cologne!’

Yuba introduces me to a young journalist from Kathmandu who now lives in Bonn. And another Philip from Cologne, whom he met at a festival in the autumn. ‘You see, Yuba. Soon you'll be able to go anywhere in the world and find friends in every city.’

Robert, the headmaster of the theatre academy, is also delighted with how things turned out.

We're still hanging out backstage. Eating pizza, singing songs. Yuba wants to leave. ‘Just wait six more minutes.’ As soon as midnight strikes, everyone sings: ‘Happy Birthday, dear Yubaraj!’

Tabea and Pabitra improvise a birthday cake with the last crumbs of biscuits. ‘You're welcome to try blowing out the electric candles.’ Yuba laughs wearily and deeply moved by this extraordinary start to a new year of life.

17 July | Cologne - Wiesbaden

Welcome to Wiesbaden, dear friends!

18 July | Wiesbaden Show

“Is it possible to love like a tree?
Expecting nothing, and only giving?
How beautiful the world would be
If humans could sing the love songs of birds and trees.”
Quote from "Lost and Found" by Yubaraj Ghimire.

19 July | Mainz / Wiesbaden

My grandmother Ruth turned 90 this week and asked her guests to donate to the Nepal theatre project as a birthday present. I am speechless with joy and gratitude. Yubaraj wrote and recorded a wonderful birthday poem for her as a thank you. 🧡🧡🧡

Birthday poem by Yubaraj

My grandmother used to say
This body is made of five elements
One morning, while gently touching my hair, she said
The whole world exists within our body
There is water, there is fire, there is air, there is earth, and the whole sky
Many people’s happiness fits inside it!

You are also the whole world, grandmother
In your love, many worlds fit!
Maybe birth is not in our control
But it is possible to give love
Because you existed, many others came into being
Because you touched, many others awakened!
Because you sang, many others found the rhythm of life!

Like the sun, you gave me warmth from afar!
Like the wind, you gently touched me
You are somewhere nearby
Like the sky
You spread light like fire
Who are you, grandmother?
You are in my memories, like love

The meaning of your existence reached me
The meaning of your birthday...
Happy birthday grandma

20 July | Mainz Show

21 July | Mainz / Wiesbaden Workshop

22 July | Rüsselsheim Martha Gellhorn

23 July | Mainz Sightseeing

I think today is the first day in weeks that I've been able to get some sleep. A day when nobody wants anything from you. When you're not responsible for anyone. When you don't have to answer or react to anything... Time to sort out your thoughts. Time to write again and just go with the flow. Memories of university conferences, the end of the semester, guest performances in Freiburg, Cologne, Wiesbaden, Mainz, workshops, the Martha Gellhorn performance, my grandmother's 90th birthday, campfire evenings, singing and dancing... and people... people... so many wonderful people...

24 & 25 July | Frankfurt Show

I landed in an incredibly beautiful theatre oasis: the Sommerwerft Festival, organised by Antagon, is one of the largest street theatre festivals in Germany. Very international, freely accessible and beautifully located – right on the banks of the Main River at the Wesel shipyard.

For Shilpee, this is definitely the main event in Germany. We took a look at the stage.

26 July | Frankfurt Workshop

And all things end as they have since the dawn of time. Creating space for something new, something yet unknown... We sing and dance on the banks of the Main at night. Pouring our joy into the river, which timidly reflects the lights of Frankfurt. The last evening of the Shilpee tour in Germany. Farewells hang in the air, along with a flood of images from the past few days. Even without instruments, Anup, Sushila, Suhana and Yuba sing one song after another, and our colourful group joins in. The park bench serves as a cajon. We would love to dance the night away and delay saying goodbye a little longer.

I can feel how the journey has already left its mark on everyone. Changed us. We will not return as the people we were when we set off. ‘I think I've lost a little piece of my heart here,’ says Sumit, smiling at me. In the last few days alone, he has taught himself so much German and wants to deepen his knowledge. I think I know how he feels: ‘ Journeys like this come back to you. We have no idea yet what will grow out of this ...’

My heart is also getting heavier. It was incredible to have the group here as guests. And the only thing stopping me from crying is the fact that I decided today to follow the group to Sweden in a few days. But then completely free of tasks. Just as a traveller with friends ...

After a typical German reminder of the night-time disturbance caused by joyful singing, the moment has come: ‘Auf Wiedersehen (goodbye), dear friends!’ Long hugs. We part ways. On one side: Pabitra, Sushila, Suhana, Anup, Sumit, Rabin, Govinda and Yuba. On the other, Tara, Nils, Ram, Maike and me. ‘Have a safe trip to Copenhagen!’ Soon the night swallows us – what an incredible time that is now coming to an end.

27 July - 03 Aug | Copenhagen

04 Aug | Gothenburg Arrival

‘I bet you'll be blogging again.’ I smile: That's fine by me. Even though, to be honest, I'm hoping for a quiet holiday and that there won't be that much to report... Today, I'm heading to Gothenburg at the sunset, where I'll be reunited with this wonderful group of people. I won't miss the last stops on the Shilpee European tour.

Four o'clock in the morning. The world consists of asphalt puddles, street lights, expressionless faces. Somewhere between far too late and too early... I am about to commit an environmental sin. My flight balance this year is significantly better than last year. It would have been even better not to fly at all. Mea culpa.

An ode in concrete grey ...

The CRJ9 is a charming little aircraft. If it were one head shorter, it could even stand upright (although then it probably wouldn't be able to fly anymore). It will take about 90 minutes to climb nearly 8 degrees of latitude northward. From the August rain in Germany to the rain in Sweden.

It is only when we take off that I notice how many layers of rain we are wrapped in today. Although we climb higher for several minutes, one layer of clouds follows another. Intermediate floors of a huge rain palace.

There they flow: the masses of water that dream of becoming rivers, of returning to the sea.

A first hint of Sweden peeks out from between the clouds ...

It feels like seeing a loved one again after many years – I love Nordic countries. Rugged landscapes. Coniferous forests stretching beyond the clouds, which have not yet been chopped down for IKEA furniture. Moss-covered rocks peeking out everywhere. Rain that always seems undecided whether it wants to just drizzle a little or pour down on forests and cities like a force of nature.

It's been four whole years since I was here. I remember tracing this beautiful graffiti. Axel and I met in a park back then. Be careful with chance encounters while travelling. You never know what kind of friendships might grow out of them.

Reunited with these wonderful people. 🥰💚 Am I a groupie or a ninth ensemble member? Who cares. It's super nice to be part of this last chapter of the great Shilpee Europe adventure.

Suddenly everything happens at the same time. I was waiting at the Central Station for the group that had travelled from Copenhagen via Malmö. I meet Hanna. An open-minded artist. We both ask each other whether we've met before. There's something familiar about her and she's one of those people who gives you their full attention in conversation, even when there's complete chaos around you.

‘We haven't seen each other for 13 years,’ says Yuba, as we carry - how could it be otherwise - loads of luggage off the platform. Hanna and he met while they were studying acting in Copenhagen. A lot must have happened since then. ‘Tell me about your theatre place in Kathmandu.’

Once again, the weather decides in favour of rain and we quickly load up Christian's car - Hanna's friend. We take the tram out to the north-east of the city. Anup and Sumit tell me about their week in Copenhagen. About the North Sea, Hamlets Castle and Christiana. It seems to me that the group wasn't able to relax too much with all the sightseeing. ‘Probably not until we get back to Kathmandu,’ Sumit smiles tiredly.

Hanna takes us to Kollektivhuset Stacken - a large apartment block in which over 60 people live and which is jointly owned (so everyone is both owner and tenant). What's more, the building runs almost completely green and self-sufficiently on solar energy. ‘This place is unique, even for Sweden,’ says Hanna. She and her friends have built a matrass sleepingplace in a children's room area. Next door is a large kitchen hall and dining room with a out-of-tune piano. This place is a collective utopia in action.

All the residents gather later for dinner. The group is particularly happy about the chilli flakes that they are given to spice up the soup. Nothing can be too spicy for Nepalese people ... Further encounters: With Sowaka and Mushimaro, a couple from Japan who are already looking forward to the theatre workshop. Also Frida, who is helping Hanna and Christian with the preparations and, like everyone here, has an immense passion for theatre.

I enjoy how the cultures collide in the small lounge. Nepal, Japan, Sweden, Germany ... Christian lived in Jordan for a long time and did an international theatre and cultural exchange with Hanna in Syria a long time ago - before the war. But it's also about completely different topics such as LARP or the Harry Potter theme party of Christian's son.

‘Scheiße!’ (shit!) Frida suddenly jumps up and hurries off. I have to laugh. ‘Do they also say “Scheiße” in Sweden?’ "No, but I've lived with Germans for too long. The word sticks." Hanna and I help her quickly drag an extra bed into our dormitory before she has to go on to a meeting.

In the meantime, a few are already relaxing here. On journeys like this, you have to get back all the sleep you can. The evening drifts off: Some play cards, others shower downstairs in the sauna area ... until everyone gradually gathers in the kitchen, the little WiFi oasis.

05 Aug | Gothenburg Preparation

In the morning, Christian takes us to Kulturhuset Bergsjön, a brand new cultural centre with a library and beautiful courtyard.

The stage, which can be used for both theatre and film screenings, is the dream of every artist. Event technology that is less than three years old and, on top of that, a great in-house technician called Anders. - A calm soul who, with his parted beard, seams to be an experienced sailor of the theatre seas. Always on hand with help and advice. In short, we couldn't have been luckier.

We are particularly amazed by the small mobile lifting platform, which he uses to climb up to eight metres to the lighting truss to pick lamps and adjust the light on the instructions of Rabin and Sumit. ‘This thing is called “Genie” and has already taken a lot of work off my hands,’ he explains with a smile.

While the others set up and light the stage, I also make myself useful as a photographer, share some posts on social media and help as a setrunner. Anup has been struggling with back pain since yesterday, so I quickly go to the pharmacy and get some coffee filters on the way back. The group is always happy to have hot filter coffee.

Later, Hanna tells me about her organisation Navet, which is also responsible for the existence of this modern Kulturhuset. It's a citizens' initiative here in Bergsjön near Gothenburg that has been campaigning for cultural projects and democracy education for many years. Hanna is therefore particularly looking forward to the forum theatre workshop on Thursday, which aims to show how theatre can be used to think about social change processes.

The day in the black box flies by. Once again we struggle with the projector until Anders jumps to our aid with his sharp mind and fixes the problem. Meanwhile, the weather needle outside has changed several times from sunshine, squalls, deluge, ... and finally back to ‘clear to cloudy’.

‘Atzuuuuu!’ Sushila shouts. An exclamation against the cold. I, on the other hand, feel at home in this unsettled Nordic climate.

A bit Gothenburg sightseeing at the end of the day. Sushila teaches me nonsense in Nepali: ‘Junkire lai khi matlab chhain.’ (Fireflies don't care.) But I'm also adding some Swedish to my ever-growing vocabulary list: ‘Lagom’ is a fantastic word that stands for ‘just the right amount’ - not too much, not too little - simply ‘lagom’.

I enjoy strolling around, the beautiful old trees in the park areas of Gothenburg, the weightless existence as a traveller ...

Later, Hanna and Christian invite us to their beautiful house for dinner. We also meet Mushimaro and Sowaka again, the two Japanese Butoh dancers.

Although the group is extremely tired, we sing a few songs after dinner. Anup starts with Nepali. Then Hanna and Christian sing a beautiful Danish ballad together about the ‘Road of Childhood’.

Moments like these are unforgettable. I close my eyes and listen to the voices in this colourful international group. One of Hanna's cats strays into our midst and seems almost a little peckish at the loud singing. Time to go.

06 Aug | Gothenburg Show

07 Aug | Gothenburg Workshop

I hope to be able to report in detail again soon. Today we had a great forum theatre workshop at Kulturhuset Bergsjön near Gothenburg. Many of Hanna and Christian's friends took part. They are all politically engaged people who have not lost their inner child and participated in every theatre game with dedication and curiosity. It's so good to know that you can find all over the world oases full with wonderful people who are dedicated to realising art projects. The main intentions are to bring people from different cultures together, to draw attention to social issues, to learn to listen to each other, to initiate a rethink ...

08 Aug | Gothenburg - Stockholm

Friday morning. Saying goodbye to our friends in Gothenburg. How quickly people can grow close to your heart. I take one last round through the station. Strolling mode. Just you and your thoughts and a place from which everything flows away. Twenty minutes until departure.

Christian helped us bring all our luggage here with his car. Before that, we went back to Kulturhuset Bergsjön to load up.

We said goodbye to Anders, the great stage technician.

Hanna gave us two books from her Navet organisation. ‘One for Mainz. One for Kathmandu.’ I also illustrated a little thank-you card for her and left it at the accommodation. ‘It really felt like you were part of our Navet team,’ she shines. I’m about to cry. It’s true – the impression of having known each other for a very long time has prevailed. And if I lived here in Gothenburg, I would know where to live out my creativity ...

So many mental images that I still want to look through as I wander through the station and the flood of travellers flows past me. Once again, I marvel at travelling. When your heart finds a new anchorage along the way. When the fragmented world has grown a little closer together and you feel like laughing at all the wonderful chaos. The dancers from Japan with whom you spent an evening, the woman from Iran, the Swedes in yesterday's workshop, your tour group from Nepal who are waiting for you on the platform...

Farewell. We embrace Hanna and Christian. Hanna has tears in her eyes. But there are some people you know you will see again. In all the tumult. But once your heart has found a new anchorage, it is difficult to let go.

09 Aug | Stockholm Show

I have the utmost respect for Rabin, for whom no profile spotlight or DMX cable is too high up.

After the performance, Shiva takes us back to the north of Stockholm. It's already dawn outside. Up here, the play of colours in the sky takes time beautifully. Everyone is exhausted, relieved, energised. What a rollercoaster ride! The show went well - very well! A large part of Stockholm's Nepali community attended and the many immediate reactions from the audience encouraged our actors to a performance that got under the skin. Some audience members even had tears in their eyes.

Once again, we are incredibly happy with how well everything went. "I'm slowly realising what it's all about: The law of attraction," Shiva begins. We've told him about our tour experiences so far and what wonderful people and communities we've met everywhere. "It needs a clear idea, combined with good positive intentions. A lot of courage. And if you manage to communicate that, then people come to you almost of their own accord and are happy to be part of it. People who radiate the same vibe, the same frequency as you. Who want to make a difference." His words make Yuba and me smile at each other. He has summed it up wonderfully - the magic that makes up this Europa tour.

10 Aug | Stockholm Workshop

11 Aug | Stockholm Sightseeing

Stockholm Sightseeing. Hope you don't mind the 'flood of pictures'. It was just too much fun taking photos today 😁🧡

And a few sketches from the road 🙃

12 Aug | Stockholm Sightseeing

“So you are a lucky gai (गाई)’, she smiles and at first I understand ‘guy’. But it's the Nepalese word for ‘cow’. The others laugh: "In Nepal, we honour cows. When we say ‘cow’ to someone, it's very respectful and means something like ‘very nice, friendly person’." I'm blushing. Today I've learnt so many new things again. ‘Eat potatoes’ is an insult in Nepal and being called a cow by others is a great compliment. The beauty of languages ... 🥰🐮

13 Aug | Stockholm - Odense

14 Aug | Odense Show

At night on the streets of Odense: we pass the museum about Hans Christian Andersen. Let all the images of the past few days pass by. A happy Nepalese group in the illustrious alleyways of a Danish town. Pabitra smiles brightly: "Eins, zwei, drei (one, two, three) ...’ Yesterday we taught each other the numbers from one to ten. In Nepali and in German. We're thinking of starting a German-Nepali-learning-group.

I was extremely emotional at today's show. Apart from taking pictures, I completely immersed myself in the performance, which I now understand so well that I can recognise the many wonderful improvised moments. I embraced the whole flow of emotions, cried several times and laughed in so many others. ‘Hasno’ and ‘Runo’; ‘Cry’ and ‘laugh’ in Nepali ... It's the last time I watch this play. And I'm trying to say goodbye to it with an open heart.

15 Aug | Farewell

The farewell moment - as emotional, hard and beautiful as expected. Why hold back emotions and tears? It's okay to feel fully when something beautiful comes to an end and you won't see these people again for a long time. It's part of every journey. I feel like I could fill a whole novel with all these experiences and maybe one day I will. Not because I think it needs another western perspective on Nepal. Rather, it would be a story about an unusual, beautiful friendship between artists. An attempt to write entirely from my own experience ...

I feel so full of images. It's good to breathe in the silence in this park. Listening to the wind chimes in the trees and the hustle and bustle of the small Danish town behind. My friends are away and at the same time very so close to me. Gratitude takes over everything ... Gratitude for all the people we met along the way, who supported, who have cared for everything in their absence in Kathmandu, who donated in Germany and made all this possible. And I'm glowing inside knowing that I've played a part in making it possible for the group to be here in Europe. I believe this tour was able to inspire many hearts and has certainly changed a life or more. Mine included. I wonder what will come next, what direction my heart will take. But I am still sitting, breathing ... Enjoying the in-between ... being neither here, nor there ... being fully alive …