Herzhaft romantisch

Jury statement by Silke Gerhardt and Aliyye Sahin

Who does not recognise the rich spectrum of human emotions? The butterflies in your stomach when you fall in love, the knot in your stomach when anger takes hold, or the goosebumps that spread across your skin in moments of fear. With Herzhaft romantisch, the dance theatre ensemble Neukölln 11 invites us on a journey through this emotional landscape. Across six clearly defined scenes, a series of distinct moods and images unfolds. Rather than telling a linear story, the piece creates an open space in which each audience member can discover their own memories, thoughts and feelings.

With remarkable ease and authenticity, the dancers translate emotion into movement. Together, the ensemble decided which feelings were most important to each individual and who would embody them on stage. No words are needed to reveal what is happening within them. Their bodies tell stories that are at times bold and powerful, at others quiet and vulnerable. Every scene possesses its own distinct energy: moments of tension fill the space before giving way to stillness, only to transform once again. These continual shifts make the performance vibrant and unpredictable, creating images that are immediately affecting while remaining open enough for audiences to find their own meanings within them.

One of Herzhaft romantisch’s greatest strengths is its honesty. Each performer’s personality remains visible, bringing an individual movement language to the stage. It is precisely these differences that give the ensemble its strength. The dancers’ attentiveness towards one another is evident throughout: they notice, support and carry each other. The result is a portrait of a community defined not by uniformity, but by trust, respect and the creative interplay of many different individuals.

Another outstanding quality of the production is its original electronic score, created in collaboration with students from the Gustav Meyer Special Educational Support Centre. Throughout the creative process, choreography and music continually inspired one another, shaping the work in dialogue. The resulting composition gives each scene its own sonic landscape, deepening its emotional atmosphere. Music and movement are woven seamlessly together, allowing the emotions to resonate even more powerfully. In the final moments, all those involved in the production come together on stage in a shared expression of happiness—a moment of joy that radiates into the audience and goes straight to the heart. Thank you for giving us this beautiful gift.