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Theater premiere in Dresden: racism and terror in the focus of the stage
On June 14, 2025, the Dresden State Theater celebrated the premiere of Ayşe Güvendiren's play "You came, you saw". A critical examination of racist terror in Germany, staged to raise awareness of the experiences of those affected.
Theater premiere in Dresden: racism and terror in the focus of the stage
On June 14, 2025, the curtain fell in Dresden on a play that powerfully confronts Germany's painful past and the topic of racist violence. “You came, you saw – a No Escape Room” by director Ayşe Güvendiren deals with the coming to terms with racist terror, particularly in the context of extreme right-wing murders since the 1990s. How nachtkritik.de reports, the piece is characterized by a sterile stage design that is reminiscent of a butcher's shop or anatomy and reinforces the emotionality of the theme.
The piece offers impressive access to the perspective of those affected and avoids attempts at explanation or the search for state responsibility. It makes particular reference to the arson attack in Solingen in 1993, in which five women and girls of Turkish origin lost their lives. A crime that is still considered one of the most serious racially motivated attacks in Germany's history. Five members of the Genç family, who had immigrated from Turkey, were murdered, and numerous relatives suffered injuries, some of which were life-threatening bpb.de reported.
The tragedy in Solingen
May 29, 1993 is not just a date, but a memorial for the brutal racist attacks in Germany. The trial against the four perpetrators, who acted on the basis of right-wing extremist ideologies, began in 1994 and ended with relatively mild sentences. The murders were classified as having base racist motives, and the perpetrators have now served their sentences and are at large again. This raises questions about justice and social relevance, which are also addressed in “You came, you saw” as it nachtkritik.de describes.
Racist violence today
The explosiveness of the issue is underlined by the current figures on racially motivated violence in Germany. According to reports from victim advisory centers, right-wing motivated attacks increased by 24% in 2024 compared to the previous year, with a total of 3,453 cases registered. Statistics show that racism remains the most common motive for crimes, and the normalization of anti-Semitic and racist attitudes remains alarming. The number of cases is also increasing in North Rhine-Westphalia, which underlines the relevance of pieces like “You came, you saw”, which want to draw attention to such grievances verband-brg.de documented.
In a dramatic production reminiscent of horror films, the piece brings the voices of the bereaved to the fore. The victims' experience of loss is vividly addressed through voice-over texts, supported by an aesthetic backdrop of dramatic music and red light. The central message is clear: Society must recognize the systematic unequal treatment and racism in the processing of terrorist attacks and actively address these grievances.
“You came, you saw” is more than just a play. It is an urgent appeal to raise awareness of the experiences of those affected and the social reality of racist terror in Germany. An important sign that is still relevant in our day and age.