U nukuch che’ilo’ob chiicho’ob yéetel noolo’ob
stories
SILVER HORIZON - NAH AM WASSER
A Musical
The Silver HORIZON is finally setting sail. It is the most modern, largest, and sustainable cruise ship ever built. Solar-powered and accessible down to its lowest decks, it serves as the stage for a truly unique musical. With music, cheers, and a booming ship’s horn, eager passengers embark on a journey that defies conventional narratives typically associated with works by, for, or about seniors.
Under the working title My Life is Like a River, the theater project has spent over a year exploring the biographies of the performers, raising profound questions—particularly about aging and its place in society. What does it mean to grow old in a world that marches forward at a relentless, self-centered pace? A world where efficiency reigns supreme, because time is money. How can one age with dignity amidst politics that prefer to push problems aside rather than address them, and a society increasingly willing to surrender hard-won democratic values? Is this a social issue? A political one? Or a question for society as a whole?
The project grappled with these questions, took the time to listen, created space, asked questions, and showed respect for the many years of life that each participant carries. Most of the participants were women. They shared stories of disadvantage and injustice, recounting their big or small battles against gender stereotypes—and sometimes their liberation from them. There was crying, laughing, singing, and storytelling, followed by writing, painting, and music-making. There was also mourning, as one woman passed away just as her story of a beautiful life with her beloved husband had been shared.
Through this project, countless reflections on the past, present, and future came together, expressed in original texts about love, hope, courage, and confidence—and about life’s impermanence. These thoughts took form as poetry, rhymes, or deeply personal songs, leaving a lasting legacy.
The musical took place at the leisure center for people aged 50 and over on Stierstraße in Berlin-Schöneberg in December 2024.
The program was initially aimed at senior citizens, but everyone was welcome to take part. Sandra Vollus was the playwrite and worked with the participants on creating the music and text. Özlem Topuz, the manager of the senior citizens' leisure center, accompanied the process.
