Since the dawn of humanity, violence – physical or verbal – has been an inseparable part of human relationships, serving as an instinctive response to threat, disagreements or power dynamics. The development of society – through laws, education, rule of law and empathy – has significantly changed our perception of violence, expressing ever more clearly: violence, both physical and emotional, is unacceptable. Yet the illusion of victory persists. In struggles, regardless of their form, the so-called winner often receives the central attention. But victory is never final. The “loser” rises, gathers strength and responds. Thus an endless and essentially meaningless cycle emerges, in which society repeatedly believes that someone will win.

“The water roared in sullen waves” is the last sentence of the legendary Latvian epic Lāčplēsis. There, Lāčplēsis and the Black Knight fall into the river Daugava, where their fight continues for eternity. In this performance, two actors embody this eternal fight. Two bodies throwing themselves against each other and slamming one another to the ground become a powerful symbol of violence and its hopelessness. The fight sees no end – the fighters are trapped in an endless cycle of winning and losing.

The performance is intended for audiences aged 12 and over.

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