The Biggest Challenge is the Heaviness of Existence as a Human Being Living in and Feeling Responsible for Today’s World

Interview with Artist Performer Çağlar Yiğitoğulları

Abstract

Çağlar Yiğitoğulları was born in Ankara, Turkey, in 1977. He graduated in Theatre – Acting from the Bilkent University in Ankara, the Faculty of Music and Performing Arts. After graduation, during 2001-2003, he lived in Australia and studied contemporary dance.

Returning to Turkey in 2003, he started working for the Istanbul City Theatre, as an actor with a permanent contract. In parallel with his work at the Istanbul City Theatre, he began producing his own performances, bold pieces exploring the limits of corporeality, and presenting them in the country, as well as abroad. Diss (2008) and Luvstory (2009) are two of his most celebrated works. In 2017, disheartened by the limited freedom of expression in Turkey, he moved to Germany, where he currently lives and creates.

Çağlar Yiğitoğulları has been awarded several important prizes, including the International Association Of Theatre Critics (IATC)’ “Actor Of The Year” in 2010. He has worked with influential theatres across Europe, such as Abattoir Fermé in Belgium, Attis Theatre in Greece, Münchner Kammerspiele and Maxim Gorki Theatre in Germany.

THE QUEST, a Shaman-Punk performance inspired by Farid ud-Din Attar’s famous poem The Conference of the Birds, is the first production he directs at the National Theatre in Cluj-Napoca.