Les Murs meurent aussi

Les Murs meurent aussi explores the violence of borders and walls – both physical and emotional. The author breaks down these boundaries, interweaving testimonies, fragmented memories, and grotesque reconstructions, reinterpreting them in a new context to depict lives shaped by violence and division.

François Sarhan’s musical theatre, inspired by contemporary conflicts, combines documentary and fantasy. Through criticism of the war and the industry that profits from it, as in the scene depicting a promotional video for a new product of the Israeli company Elbit Systems, Music, designed to protect aircrafts from missiles, the piece satirises euphemisms and similar mechanisms of alienation, exploring the limits of freedom of thought. It also includes other tragic stories, such as the fate of the shaman Alexander Gabyshev, who tried to overthrow Putin only to end up in psychiatric treatment, and the testimonies of several performers: violinist Winnie Cheng describes the life of “two” Chinas, pianist Pascal Meyer recalls his childhood in Czechoslovakia in the era of the Iron Curtain, and guitarist Srđan Berdović recounts hiding in a Dubrovnik basement during the Homeland War. Even the stage itself is a living map of boundaries, where 30 contact microphones activate every step and movement of the performers, making every performance unique.

Through testimonies and the recontextualisation of cultural references, the piece does not seek to convey a political message, but to sing a collective lament about a world that cannot exist. It reminds us of humanity and fragility, but also of hope for a better tomorrow, despite the world in which destinies are often determined by divisions and conflicts.

During the performance, only English subtitles will be available.

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François Sarhan is a French composer, author, and occasional director, known for his multimedia and music-theatrical works.

United Instrument of Lucilin is a Luxembourgish ensemble specialising in music of the 20th and 21st centuries, including chamber compositions, opera productions, improvisations, and musical projects for children.

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François Sarhan, composer, director, video and text
Maria Buzhor, dramaturgy, translation and subtitles
Lea Søvsø, costume design
Cédric Fischer, sound
Eric Slunecko, technical direction and lighting design

Daniel Agi, performer
Janina Ahh, performer
Marie Buzhor, performer
Julia Lwowski, performer

United Instruments of Lucilin
Winnie Cheng, violin
Danielle Hennicot, viola
Srđan Berdović, electric guitar
Pascal Meyer, keyboards
Guy Frisch, percussion

Commission: Festival Musica, United Instruments of Lucilin

Production: United Instruments of Lucilin


co-production - MBZ, Festival Musica Strasbourg, La Muse en Circuit, ECLAT Stuttgart, Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg