New Theatre Institute of Latvia
Magic Carpets, 2024
Emerging Curator: Linda Krūmiņa
Artists in Residency: Elza Marta Ruža, Max Fernandes Oliveira / Seda
Neighbour from the Yellow House (Stories from Seda)
Located 131 km from Riga, the capital of Latvia, and just 32 km from the Estonian border lies the unique and peculiar town of Seda. Built in the 1960s as a settlement for workers of a peat factory, it is surrounded by vast forests and sprawling peat bogs. The town feels remote – detached from major roads, the hustle and bustle of modern life, and the typical architecture of today.
This summer, the New Theatre Institute of Latvia (NTIL) and Valmiera Summer Theatre Festival hosted a distinctive residency in Seda, bringing together Latvian playwright Elza Marta Ruža and Portuguese visual and theatre artist Max Fernandes Oliveira, with dramaturg assistant and translator Jānis Golubev. Over five weeks, the artists immersed themselves in Seda’s community, collaborating with local residents to co-create the site-specific performance Neighbour from the Yellow House.
Max Fernandes Oliveira (Portugal) is an artist and educator whose artistic research and practice connect art, society, politics, and ecology. Working across object production, new media, and performance, his work is deeply rooted in public engagement.
Elza Marta Ruža, a graduate of the Drama and Text Studies programme at the Latvian Academy of Culture, is a playwright whose work explores the interplay between people’s private lives and politics. Her notable works include Gentle Power (2023) at the Latvian National Theatre and The Sun Goes Down in the East (2021) at Dirty Deal Teatro.
At first, Seda’s residents were hesitant about the project, unsure of what to expect. However, as workshops in storytelling, improvisation, and visual arts unfolded, trust blossomed. More than 30 locals participated, sharing their stories and ideas, with a smaller group committing to the intensive rehearsals that shaped the final performance.
The culmination of their work took place in Seda’s former school – a now-closed building central to the town’s history. Through its hallways and classrooms, the performance brought to life the personal narratives and reflections of Seda’s people, exploring themes of connection, individuality, and belonging. The project not only gave the school back to the community but also strengthened bonds between neighbours, transforming the town’s sense of togetherness.
When interviewed, the local community reflected on their relationships and sense of belonging:
“My neighbour has invested at least €3,000 in her flower garden. My neighbour is carrying boulders by hand to create a park in his garden. My neighbour writes poetry while watching the news. How am I different?
I recognise everyone. But no one recognises me. Sometimes I think no one sees us. What stops me in a small town like Seda from really getting to know the person who lives behind the wall? What can we build together?”
“Is it possible for a moment to break down the walls that separate us?” the artists asked. This residency proved that it is – through creativity, shared effort, and the willingness to see one another anew.
Neighbour from the Yellow House stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and the transformative potential of art in fostering community.
Curatorial text by Linda Krūmiņa