Of Things on the Way

“Of Things on the Way” is an artistic project on global logistics and infrastructure to feature at the Fidena festival in Bochum, Herne and Essen in spring 2026. It uses the expressive forms of puppet and object theatre to highlight issues of power, responsibility and visibility in the context of the global flow of goods. The focus lies on the connection between consumption and responsibility, the invisibility of working conditions in supply chains, the depiction of migration as a logistical problem, and the environmental impacts of global transports. The project includes a six-part theatre series by Tin Grabnar addressing the mobility of goods and people, as well as a commissioned piece by Ant Hampton on the hidden structures of global logistics. The programme will take place as part of the international puppet theatre festival Fidena and will be accompanied by a talk-show format on migration and surveillance, and a creative workshop on logistics in the everyday lives of urban residents. 

Artistic direction: Christofer Schmidt
Project direction: Helene Ewert
Artists: Armada Theater, Young-Soo Chang, Tin Grabnar, Ant Hampton, KMZ Kollektiv and others
Researchers: Prof Dr Julia Bee, Yentl de Lange
Participating theatres: Maribor Puppet Theatre, Ljubljana Puppet Theatre, Puppet Theater Białystok, Eesti Noorsooteater, Klaipėda Puppet Theatre, Alfa Theater
 

Dates

13 May 2026 – 17 May 2026: Performances
Theaterrevier und Prinz Regent Theater, Bochum, | Flottmann-Hallen, Herne; Salzlager und Mischanlage Zollverein, Hesse