Theatre-Laboratory “Alma Alter” is always searching for the difference and the different, because according to us, this is what gives motion to life. Alternative are also the love marriages that the theatre hosts for the fifth year running. Church and civil marriage has become a sort of cultural conservative – something formal, that is carried out mechanically and can’t go beyond its intended function. And so marriage is downscaled, it is no longer a divine union.
It is precisely to this reason that the living theatre “Alma Alter” wants to breathe life into this ritual, so that it can regain its intended purpose. The marriages of “Alma Alter” are contracted for only one reason - love. And that is why there are no rules – everyone has the right to confirm his love to that special person, animal, idea, object. It is sad, but each year there are a few people who marry themselves, because that is the being that they love most. In today’s world, unfortunately, that is considered normal. The ritual lasts at about 15 minutes and begins in front of the main entrance of Theatre-Laboratory “Alma Alter” and ends in the Ceremonial Hall.
On the way the couple (or the threesome, or the foursome) lives their happening of love, helped on by our experienced “divine priests” of “Alma Alter”, who will use all their skills to render those moments unforgettable for love-weds. After preparing their bodies, cleansing their minds and activating their spirit the love-weds enter the Ceremonial Hall for the final ceremony after which they receive their official love-wed green-wild Yes-giving. The love marriages of “Alma Alter” are but an experience of letting love happen between people, because according to us it is the most charming and most magical event in a person’s life.
Requirements for contracting a marriage – the existence of the feeling of love.
Span of validity of said marriage – as long as the feeling of love lasts.
Restrictions – none.
Place of occurrence – here and now, at this place, with these people.
Time of occurrence – beyond precision, right now.
Leading roles:
Priestesses – those doing the ritual. Secretive, magnetic, full of life, self confidence and strength. They are the ones that make things be. They are the ones calling things as they are. Priest – Him – the greatest liberator of the human spirit. He is here. He is always beside you. Always with you. The only one who knows the full range of the words: “I do.” The voice – your inner voice that whispers: Beauty is a form of genius. It is more than genius for it needs no proof. And the ritual begins: It begins with you, especially and only with you. You are not alone. You are sharing yourself with another and his otherness becomes your divinity. Your divinity – your unity. The two of you stand side by side. They – the Priestesses in front of you enter into their ritual clothing, they glow and whisper: We are tortured by beauty. Torture us, oh Beauty, torture us, more and higher, and deeper, more and most. Torture us, oh Beauty, torture us…
They are already next to you, they lead you. On the road you have to walk on to reach the end. The end which is but the beginning of your sharing.
Sharing means Happening.
Music. Rhythm. Tempo. Movement.
And you are on your knees. In front of the Priest.
He: The life of man is but an endless journey through time and space. And through people. The most beautiful, most magical moments in life are precisely those of people passing through people. Passing-through in which we give most and receive most.
A passing-trough we call LOVE.
Music. Rhythm. Tempo. Movement.
And then you are far from him, but close to your selves. The very moment of poetry.
A verse for her, a verse for him. Our gift for you. From Petrarch for Beatrice. From Yavorov for Lora. Or a sonnet from Shakespeare.
On your heads – crowns bejeweled with stars. Golden, silver, ruby…
The biggest delusion of man, here on Earth is that stars are in the sky.
Music. Rhythm. Tempo. Movement.
You are looking at each other. Maybe for the first time so pure, so true, so you. The Priestesses:
Let us exchange our tastes – salty, sweet, hot, and sour.
Let us cleanse our bodies.
Let us activate our spirit.
A pulse. Somebody’s pulse. In harmony with another. Enters one of the Priestesses with a glass of wine in her hand:
To love means to devote. To devote means to denounce. To love means to pledge. I love you and pledge myself to everything that is you. I love you and pledge in you (he drinks) the one (she drinks) I love. The Priest : Exchange rings.
A voice, a female voice starts to sing softly: “You are the essence of all the beauty in life. You are the essence of all, the love of my life. Secret one, source between and beyond.”
The Priest: The love-weds may now kiss.
A moment of unity. Total. Whole. Seemingly eternal. A moment of divinity and ecstasy.
Music. Rhythm. Tempo. Movement.
In the void sounds “Ave Maria” – a cappella.
I am a candle burning the fire lit by you. I am the fire splitting in twine so that I can be seen by you – transparent and pure (he repeats) transparent and pure (she repeats).
We are walking towards the end, so looked forward to, so desired.
What remains after two “I do”?
One “I do” giving!

The International Art-Forum is an event which was first initiated in October 2008, when theorists and practicians of theatre in international aspect, began speaking on topic contemporary theatre – tendencies and practice. This trial edition filled up one niche in the Bulgarian cultural sphere and gave opportunity to many theatre followers to get closer to the ideas of contemporary theatre in one wider aspect.
We will open the space for one public debate on the problems of culture and theatre in particular. In it will participate art-creators from different parts of the world, whose artistic research is laid in the field of the so called “alternative theatre” - one concept, so many times emptied from its contents, that inevitably occurs the question: The alternative theatre – alternative of what? The alternative always predetermines one initial base from which to distinguish itself. Alternative theatre means different theatre. To understand that “difference” first we have to try and define “different“, compared to what? And here naturally comes the question of the context of alternative theatre.
In Bulgaria, after the theatre reform appeared many different artistic organizations, trying to run away from the conventional and well-known theatre. That distinction from the convention – theatre, at one point enriched the cultural climate, and at the other sharpened the atmosphere between the conventional and its “alternative”.
Most clearly that becomes visible in two aspects:
Aesthetic, in which the question of creation and the authors view on art lacks any control. The experimenting, freedom and independence in the research play their exclusive role.
Economic, which forced those organizations to seek flexible, alternative models of functioning and financing. The International Art-Forum has no commercial goals. The events – performances, discussions, film projections – will be admission free. This will give an opportunity for wider popularizing of the idea of alternative theatre.