Tell us: who are you and why do you enjoy going to work? I am Gisèle Mambre, 53 years old and living in Eindhoven with my boyfriend since 2009, within walking distance of some important cultural houses for me: the city hall, Pand P, the Van Abbe and the Parktheater. I like to promote and talk about culture and write texts for myself and on commission. A text that means a lot to me is the Tula monologue I wrote for the cultural event Theater voor Keti Koti. Prior to performances on June 30 and/or July 1 dedicated to the abolition of Trans-Atlantic slavery, that text is recited. As a moment of connection and to reflect on the struggle of Tula, the freedom fighter of Curaçao. When I receive feedback from listeners that the text is thought-provoking, it is a confirmation of my intention. Besides being a cultural marketer and storyteller, I am also a council member; my commitment is to make/maintain Eindhoven inclusive, fair and sustainable.
What are your biggest motivations? Striving for justice and equality is my main motivation, in everything I do. I do that by, among other things, telling the stories that would otherwise go underexposed. Of people who otherwise don't get a theatre. Convinced that those are the stories that bring us together. When this succeeds, I am happy.
This movement generates energy and we like to pass it on to others. With this #doorSTROOM we can make the world a little more beautiful every day! What inspiration do you think is important to share with others? That #representationmatters! And that there is no average. Fact that we are all different gives that extra sauce to society. Difference is something we should celebrate, is healthy and is just ok. I have a tattoo on my forearm of the Ghanaian Adinkra symbol for being united in diversity; every day I acknowledge the differences and look for what connects in them.
How important do you think it is for people to become part of this #throughSTROOM? Very important! Art absolutely connects and propels forward. The more people get energized the faster we get to that more beautiful world.
Which STROOM MeetUp has stuck with you the most and why? Two conversations: The conversation with choreographer, theater producer and artistic director of Theater Rotterdam, Alida Dors after the investigative dance performance Primisi. Because she said very pertinent things about the importance of polyphony and making space within the arts for non-Western traditions. Open up! And the conversation with Anne-Fay after the performance Anne-Fay's Reaspora. Because it was an emotional conversation (after an emotive performance about the search for her roots). Between the two of us but especially with the audience. The feeling of (h)acknowledgement was great.
The MeetUp gives the opportunity for beautiful encounters and real conversations. Which person would you like to meet again someday? The next person with a (to me) still unknown story that needs to be told.
What is your secret to a good, in-depth conversation? Preparing very well by watching videos and previous interviews, reading up on the story, making up lots of clever questions in advance, and then not using all of them because I wonder completely new things during the performance. And usually that leads me to the stunner opening question.
MEET GISÈLE
You can meet Gisèle during the MeetUp of these performances:
Agenda
