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This fifth and final part of the lecture-performance series breaks down the struggle for reproductive rights in Yugoslavia. Although it only implicitly touched upon sexual rights, it paved the path for us even being able to talk about sexual pleasure today. This struggle goes back to the time during and after World War II when the so-called epidemic of (backstreet) abortions claimed many women’s lives. At the time, abortion was illegal and carried a prison sentence, and the concept of marital rape did not legally exist. Using the biographies of Vida Tomšič, a partisan and an important Yugoslav politician, and Dr Franc Novak-Luka, a partisan, prominent gynaecologist and Vida Tomšič’s second husband, the artists outline the development of the policy.

Developing the concept of family planning as a human right, and the right to sexual education that goes beyond the biologistic notion of sexuality and focuses on the so-called humane relationships between sexes, was progressive for its time. At a time when society is being re-traditionalist and policies are re-questioning the right to safe abortion and contraception, the idea that women’s bodies belong to them alone cannot be taken for granted, but instead, as something that must still – and again – be fought for.

Duration: 60 min
Genre: Lecture-performance
Language: Slovenian, Croatian with English surtitles

Credits

Authors: Tjaša Črnigoj, Sendi Bakotić, Vanda Velagić, Tijana Todorović, Lene Lekše
Directed by: Tjaša Črnigoj
Performed by: Sendi Bakotić, Vanda Velagić
Set design: Tijana Todorović, Lene Lekše
Costume design: Tijana Todorović
Expert from the field: Dr. Maja Vehar
Respondent on the topic of Vida Tomšič and Franc Novak biographies: Živa Novak
Vida Tomšič's voice: Draga Potočnjak
Franc Novak's voice: Matej Recer
The voice of the midwife: Nina Skrbinšek
The voice of the broadcaster: Sara Horžen
Music selection: Tjaša Črnigoj, Sendi Bakotić, Vanda Velagić, Tijana Todorović, Lene Lekše
Language consultant: Mateja Dermelj
Editing and post-production of the audio recording: Jure Vlahovič, Silvo Zupančič
Lighting designers: Tjaša Črnigoj, Igor Remeta, Manca Vukelič, Tijana Todorović, Lene Lekše
Stage manager: Demijan Pintarič
Technical directors: Manca Vukelič, Igor Remeta
Producer: Tina Dobnik
Co-production: Mladinsko Theatre, Maska Ljubljana and City of Women
Partnership: Kolektiv Igralke

Sex Education II is part of the project Testing Ground: Reparative Practices for New Cultural Ecosystem which has been conceived and is carried out by Kurziv – Platform for Matters of Culture, Media and Society, Stanisław Brzozowski Association / Krytyka Polityczna and Maska Ljubljana, with the support of the EU programme Creative Europe.

Get in touch

Production contact: Alja Lobnik, alja.lobnik@maska.si 

Status: Ready for touring