Caroling with the Goat is a ritual performed traditionally between Christmas and New Year’s Day in many regions of Romania. It’s still practiced today and has counterparts in winter Balkan traditions and winter-spring carnivals worldwide. Like other masked rituals enacted within this transition period, its role is to bring prosperity to the receiving families, the lands and animals of the household, helping to renew Time. During the traditional play in its original rural areas, at one point, the Goat must die in order to be resurrected by the performers.

 

As a society, we are in a limbo. We see the global damage plastic has brought to the ecosystems, the effects of this addiction on the natural environment. We collectively dwell with a choice. Can we dispose of our present consumer habits and take a new turn towards more sustainable practices?

 

 

concept & performer: Alina Tofan

photographer: Diana Păun

eco-designer: Ecaterina Colasiz

concept & performative text: Georgiana Vlahbei

produced by Plastic Art Performance Collective