In the outdoor walk-performance PASSING, the Israeli-German choreographer Smadar Goshen explores her tragic family history in Germany during the 1940s. While also dealing with a recent personal loss following the events of October 7, 2023, she looks back at the past and asks what we can do today to prevent history from repeating itself.

The performance begins with a calm voice welcoming the audience via headphones as they set off on a 40-minute walk from Pragfriedhof to the memorial site “Zeichen der Erinnerung” in Stuttgart. Along the way, it offers the audience the opportunity to reflect on heritage, family history, belonging, and the concept of “home”.

Goshen, who moved from Israel to Stuttgart, accidentally discovered her great-grandmother’s name on the memorial wall of “Zeichen der Erinnerung”. Three years later, she wonders whether her move from Israel to Stuttgart was fate or coincidence.

PASSING reveals her discoveries, the missing pieces in her family history, and brings to life the stories of members of the Jewish community in Stuttgart during the 1930s and 1940s. The piece inevitably raises questions and increases awareness of antisemitism and racism, both during World War II and today. These narratives are complemented by six dancers who express what words cannot.

The walk ends at the memorial site “Zeichen der Erinnerung”, inviting the audience to explore the monument.

Participation is free of charge.

Donations are welcome and contribute to the preservation of the memorial as well as ongoing historical research.

Concept & Choreography: Smadar Goshen
Performance: Bar Gonen, Selina Koch, Paco Ladrón de Guevara, Kevin Albancando Tuntaquimba, Malika Ali, Johannes Blattner
Research & Dramaturgy: Kathrin Hildebrand
Music: ^tre by Nicolas Jaar, Farewell to All We Know by Matt Elliott, All Night Long I Cried by Zelda Mishkovsky
Sound Engineering: Daniel Appel
Project Management: Valentin Leuschel
Finance: Christine Koschel
Communication: Maya Mayzel

ATTENTION – The number of participants is limited.

If you are unable to attend your reservation for any reason, please cancel your spot via the cancellation link in your confirmation email. This allows others to participate. Alternatively, you can also contact us by email at ask@smadargoshen.com.

The production of PASSING was supported by the City of Stuttgart. The revival performances in June 2026 are supported by the Kurt and Hildegard Löwenstein/Losten Foundation as well as the pbb Foundation for Art and Science. A project in cooperation with the association “Zeichen der Erinnerung e.V.” and the Evangelical Educational Centre Hospitalhof Stuttgart.

Past dates:
Sat, 27.07.2024, 3.00 & 5.00 pm
Sun, 28.07.2024, 3.00 & 5.00 pm
Thu, 25.09.2025, 12:00 pm
Fri, 26.09.2025, 4.30 & 6.30 pm