What is violence?

Violence is everywhere in our everyday lives – in schoolyards and in queues at restaurants, in the workplace and in news reports. Every day we read about new acts – in Ukraine and Gaza, in Örebro and Öst på stan.

In UngHästen's new performance about violence, the theme is discussed openly and critically. We encounter several characters and situations that problematize violence in different ways. Why do we use violence, and where does it come from? What do we mean by violence, and what different forms of violence occur in our lives? How does the violence in Gaza differ from the violence in the schoolyard? What are the similarities?

The basis and inspiration for the performance has been drawn from conversations with students, lectures by experts, the actors' and directors' own experiences, and input from social events and news outlets. With this performance, UngHästen wants to go beyond the media's click-baiting headlines about violence. We want to put the finger on the matter aside, and instead create a common room for thought and perspective - a room that accommodates (empowers) dissent and gives hope for the future.

The performance is directed by Oskar Thunberg, a dear reunion at Västerbottensteatern where he has previously both directed performances and acted - including as Carlsson in the summer theater Hemsöborna. Oskar is in addition to being an actor and director, also the artistic director of the Stockholm-based independent group Lumor together with Paula Stenström Öhman.
The performance What is Violence? will mainly be performed for 9th grade classes both within and outside the county, but in the fall of 2025 two public performances will also be offered.