Thalweg
Participatory performance
London - September 2019
Thalweg is a participatory singing promenade along the river Thames exploring the connection between cultures and river rights.
Maori view their rivers as tupuna (ancestors). For Hindus, the rivers Yamuna and Ganges in India are Goddesses with sacred water. The indigenous communities in the area of Chocó, in Colombia, have been designated ‘Guardians’ of the river by law.
What is the river Thames to Londoners, in all our diversity? Do rivers have a voice? Do they have rights? How can deepening the connection between culture and nature protect entire ecosystems, including ourselves?
Thalweg’s creative process included two interactive workshops. The first was organised at the Migration Museum with London communities connected to Maori, Colombian and Indian cultures to discuss our various relationships with rivers. The second workshop took place at the Brunel museum with the local community of Rotherhithe to become participation leaders for the performance.
Created by SLQS and Laura Guarch
Music composition by Laura Guarch
Visual Scenography by SLQS
Singing by Laura Guarch, Kate Smith, Eleanor Rashid, SLQS
Sound recording by Ben Kelly
Videography by Adam Jaro
Supported by the Mayor of London’s Culture Seeds
Local community workshop
Brunel Museum
Community workshop
Migration Museum
