Theatre of NO
‘A Festival Altar’
Once upon a time Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism were new religious movements.
Today, the interpretations of teachers who lived more than a millennia ago are established in our culture and followed by millions of people.
What gives religion its practical power?
Altar.
The festival altar is a place to visit for the duration of the festival, day and night. People of all religions, people of no religion, everyone of all ages are invited to bring flowers, branches, plants, a donation, an object, a secret note, light a candle, whisper their wishes and pray.
At sunset on the first day of the festival, the altar space will be opened with a ritual. On the last day of the festival, just before sunset, the altar will be closed in a second ritual. Whoever wishes to be at the rituals, will attend.
Ritual.
When we light a candle for a loved one and weep, when we light a birthday candle and sing, the act of lighting is the ritual, the act of crying and chanting is the human divine.
The practical art of ritual invests power into the space, place, movements, and objects. The more often the ritual is carried out, the more power it gains – and loses. It isn’t from within, it is from without, it isn’t from without, it is from within. We make it so, so it makes us, we meet our gods through ritual inspired by gods.
