CAE HERITAGE - On n'a pas pris le temps de se dire au revoir (Rachid Bouali)

The Erasmus+ class go to the Bateau feu to watch "On n'a pas eu le temps de se dire au revoir", a play written, directed and performed by Rachid Bouali. In the words of the playwright, "it's the story of a man who, at the same time, witnesses the destruction of the housing estate where he grew up and the disappearance of his father. He plunges back into his family history and tries to put the pieces of his memory back together, like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, to better understand who he is". This play is an opportunity to question exile (attachment to traditions, adaptation to the host country), identity, which is constantly evolving, and the legacy of our ancestors. In particular, the playwright makes us think about the impact of the French colonial past in Algeria on the behaviour of their descendants. The students then read the artistic dossier produced by the theatre company and share their thoughts on the play. They are asked to reflect on their own identity (family, traditions, culture, etc.). Finally, they meet the playwright at their high school. At first, the students talk to Rachid Bouali about his show : how to write a play, its sources, how to stage it, its relationship to personal life and current events. At second, the class is divided into two groups : they perform different exercises aimed at working on body, breath, rhythm, space occupation, improvisation.

The students all attend a first performance together at the theatre in Dunkirk at the beginning of the school year, which help to bond the class. The choice of show was made in order to introduce them to the objectives of the class and of the teaching they will follow throughout their year, in which a fundamental place is given to cultural heritage, current affairs and innovation. Students who wish to do so are also given the opportunity to talk to the actor after the performance.