A Unique Exploration of Climate Change and Storytelling in Baku: A New Documentary Theatre Experience

On February 11, the Ritual Theatre and Creative Laboratory in Baku hosted a powerful documentary theatre performance, “The Melting Snow Stories of Baku,” marking the conclusion of a workshop dedicated to site-specific theatre. This workshop brought together 15 artists from various age groups, all exploring the transformative power of storytelling to address climate change. The event was directed by British theatre director Sebastian Harcombe of SECRET/HEART Theatre Company and Aynur Zərrintac of Ritual Theatre. It was supported by the British Council.

The performance introduced an entirely new method of theatre for many local audiences. Using headphones to relay stories, the actors and actresses had the unique task of transmitting the narratives they heard directly to the audience, a technique they found both intimate and real. The performers believe this method not only offered a more direct and powerful connection with the audience but also highlighted pressing issues in a way that felt raw and authentic. They stressed the need for such innovative approaches in the local arts scene.

The performance itself took place across various rooms, each offering a different vignette. The audience was divided into color-coded groups, with each group experiencing a series of snow-related stories tied to Baku’s changing climate. The stories were told in the voices of real people, allowing the artists to convey the emotions and experiences of those impacted by climate change directly to the viewers. This format drew out powerful emotional responses, from sorrow to joy, as the audience connected with the humanity behind the stories.

One of the most impactful aspects of the performance was the atmosphere created in each room. The use of color, style, and setting in each space intensified the emotional experience, preventing any sense of boredom while keeping the audience engaged and immersed in the narrative. Every element, from the lighting to the physical space, was designed to deepen the audience’s emotional involvement and foster a sense of being part of the story.

The project was not only a creative exploration but also a deep reflection on the urgent issue of climate change. The use of storytelling to confront such a critical theme is part of a growing trend in Azerbaijan, where theatre has increasingly become a space for addressing contemporary social and environmental challenges. This documentary theatre method offers a compelling new way of engaging audiences, making it clear that the power of stories is not just in their telling but also in how they are experienced and felt by those who listen.

As Ritual Theatre and the Creative Laboratory continue to stage such diverse productions, this innovative approach is expected to spark further conversations and inspire new forms of artistic expression in Azerbaijan’s cultural landscape.