Moldova’s Sufferings of Job: A Bessarabian saga premieres
The Mihai Eminescu National Theatre in Chișinău, Moldova, will premiere the play "Sufferings of Job" this weekend.
The production, directed by Luminița Țîcu, is inspired by the eponymous novel by writer Val Butnaru. The performance is a stage reinterpretation focusing on the endurance of the Moldovan people in the face of collective trauma and historical upheaval.
The production spotlights the turbulent history experienced by several generations of a family in Bessarabia, bringing their story to the audience.
Director Luminița Țîcu said: "It was a very complicated working process because the novel is very long. I wanted to be compatible with the novel's core idea and follow its stylistic approach, which is an absolutely fantastic blend of documentary and fiction."
Petru Hadârcă, the theatre's director, explained that the production is part of a thematic series: "After we approached the theme of famine in 'The Children of the Famine' and the theme of deportations in 'The Siberian Files,' now 'Sufferings of Job' is essentially a Moldovan family saga spanning from the Union of the Principalities in 1859 to the present day."
An ensemble of actors brought to the stage the full spectrum of emotions, from despair and the struggle for identity, to betrayal, courage, and hope.
Actress Ana Tkacenko said that playing one of the main roles was a responsibility: "Galina Cudrina, the department head, is another interesting challenge for me because it's a challenging antagonistic role."
Actor Alexandru Pleșca added: "There are many people nostalgic for the Soviet Union, which is painful. We, the actors, contribute with our plays to open people's eyes and help them realise that the system was an enemy to us."
A radio version of the novel "Sufferings of Job" has also been produced by the National Radio Theatre – Radio Romania, directed by Petru Hadârcă with actors from both Moldova and Romania.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
