The performance Ships would not have been possible without the community that helped shape it in countless ways. Special thanks for the wind in our sails to the Institute for Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sport Kanal, the Slovenian National Theatre Nova Gorica, the Kontrada Theatre Association Kanal, and many individuals who contributed their support and stories.

The original theatre production Ships is based on real stories of Slovenian emigrants, especially those who left for Australia and Argentina in different historical periods. It draws on the experiences of people who, due to economic hardship, political pressure, or fear of military service, left their homes and embarked on uncertain journeys across forests, borders, and oceans.

The performance explores the concept of home, as well as the formation of identity and belonging within a community. It focuses on the moment of decision for what is often an irreversible departure—across borders, continents, and hemispheres—and on the point of farewell, seeking to understand both the external circumstances and the inner motivations behind leaving.

The text intertwines excerpts from the book Between Happiness and Freedom by Breda Čebulj-Sajko with testimonies of those who left and those who stayed. The performance includes narratives by Marta Obleščak, Andrej Obleščak, Pavla Gruden, Vinko Ovijač, Bill Marinič, and Frid Mavko.

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