“Kūņoties” evokes associations with a cocoon, gentle wrapping, and gradual formation. It is a performance for babies who do not yet know what theatre is, who have only just begun to walk, speak, and discover the adult world. The performance does not offer a linear story; it unfolds through forms, textures, sounds, and associations. “Kūņoties” invites sensory and touch-led exploration of space, where small and large worlds emerge from different objects. This visual journey is accompanied and enriched by live music. The space is created without the usual division between audience and performers, allowing the boundary between watching and participating to become fluid. A natural, respectful interaction is formed, and a child’s first encounter with theatre can become a meaningful experience for both child and adult.
Director Anna Ivanova says of babies in the theatre: "They arrive in their strollers like rulers, accompanied by attentive adults. Babies enter the performance like a river - yielding to its flow or moving against it, watching, listening, or simply being present. The baby spectator is like a little Buddha: they may not know what adults know, but they still remember what adults have already forgotten. Curious and open, they explore every detail and find joy in the very process of discovery. By creating theatre for the very youngest, we borrow this way of being from them and make it our artistic language."
The performance is intended for babies from 9 months to 2 years old. Please observe the age recommendation!
Entry to the performance space - the Chamber Hall - is without shoes! For comfort, we invite you to bring warm socks!
Creative team:
Director: Anna Ivanova (Finland)
Artist: Jenni Rutanen (Finland)
Lighting designer: Māra Aniņa
Composer: Anrijs Sirmais
Movement consultant: Alise Putniņa
Cast: Dana Avotiņa-Lāce, Anrijs Sirmais, Miķelis Žideļūns
The performance is financially supported by the cultural and arts programs of the Nordic Council of Ministers.
