A theatrical view at the world around us 

The opening of Cultura Nova tells the story of Mo – a child on the run, separated from his family – and the fantasy of his journey towards a new life. The beginning of a quest that unfolds in the streets of the city centre.   

Mo et le ruban rouge is an open-air spectacle, accompanied by dozens of local participants, in which an impressive puppet as tall as seven metres moves through the city.  It follows the story of Mo, an eight-year-old boy, separated from his family, on his imaginary journey to a new life. He is holding a present. He sleeps, dreams of laughter and fun, of his family, his birthday party, his present, the explosion, the screams, the panic. He wakes up wearing a life jacket. There is nothing around him, nothing but his present. The present escapes and unfolds into a long, red ribbon. He goes after the ribbon and so a playful quest begins, full of surprises and trials.  

The performance Mo et le ruban rouge responds to today’s current events and stories. It explores the experience of migration from the perspective of a child. Despite this heavy theme, it is a joyful, playful, poetic and musical performance in which the red ribbon literally and figuratively acts as a common thread. It connects the child to his history, but also invites him to go on an adventure. And that adventure takes him and us from De Bongerd, via a parade, to the Festival Square during the opening of Cultura Nova 2024.   

With Mo et le ruban rouge, the French company Compagnie L’Homme Debout brings us story about resilience. Mo offers us a more optimistic view of the world we live in and better understanding of the people we share it with. 

Credits 

Text and direction: Benoît Mousserion
Musical composition and direction: Patrick Ingueneau
Live performance: Thomas Baudriller
Lighting design: Mathieu Marquis, Erwan Créhin
Special effects and pyrotechnics: Adrien Toulouse, François Martin