Curacao premières theatrical presentation of the Song of Solomon

José Aurelio Paz, WILLEMSTAD, Curazao, June 19, 2007

A theatrical version of the Song of Solomon in Papiamento, the native language of Curacao, Taxi Heathrow Airport called “Kanto di tur Kanto,” has begun its presentations in the Luna Blou Theatre of Willemstad, in the Dutch Caribbean.

Curiously enough, the presentation is taking place in the auditorium of this cultural center in Curacao that is named “Tentashon” (Temptation), under the direction of the Colombian playwright Freddy Montoya, who is using a group of local, non-professional actors, who bring to life the enigmatic biblical text that has been interpreted in such controversial ways.

The presentation does not make changes to the original text, trying only to create dramatic textures as a result of interchanging and superimposing the verses of this great poem. Added to that is a dynamic based on the play with scenic elements that allow a flourishing of the millenary vitality of its literary style, which has led more than one biblical exegete down torturous paths in the unsuccessful attempt to give this beautiful metaphor of divine inspiration, a lineal interpretation.

According to what its director explained to the local press, “Kanto di tur Kanto” or The Song of Solomon, had an exclusive première for the representatives of the different religions present on the island, such as Catholics, Evangelicals, Jews, and also Hindu and Arabic religions.

Montoya himself expressed that it was a very emotional experience, because some of those present said that the main value of the theatrical presentation was its having brought them together again in an atmosphere of ecumenism, uncommon in Curacao.

Lasting an hour and a half and including seven actors and seven actresses, this so called “experimental or alternative theatre” includes song, dance, visual arts and film, along with the reciting of the biblical text.

According to Montoya, the mystery that God hides in the supposed love between the husband and the wife, full of a lyricism not found in any other sacred book, unfolds “like drinking wine, enjoying the depth of the mysteries of the Bible.”

After having already had six presentations, The Song…di tur Kanto continues to completely fill the Luna Blou auditorium, perhaps because of the avidness of a very diverse public, as Curacao gathers together immigrants from different countries from nearly all the continents, along with multiple congregations of the most diverse religious tendencies.

Perhaps as a result of that, it is all of an artistic “tentashon” having a deep Christian meaning which, of course, along with its followers will have its detractors for whom the good wine of the Word should not be placed in new wine bags.