Ion ( a play on adoption) is a documentary dance performance on the topic of adoption in contemporary Bulgaria where the topic is still a very big taboo. Adopted families meet a lot of stigma and discrimination.
The performance has been nominated for the IKAR Award for Contemporary Dance and Performance 2017 and the Sofia Dance Award 2017. Idea, directing, field work: Stephanie Handjiiska Music: Georgi Atanasov Costumes: Nevena Georgieva Starring: Vasilia Drebova, Plamena Pencheva, Deyan Georgiev, Boyan Arsov Cello: Stefan Hadjiev Producer: Platform V / HOD, The Red House and Man with a Hat Foundation
Ion ( a play on adoption) is the first ever production of Man with a Hat Foundation and sets the overall tone of the team’s work as socially engaged and speaking up about important social issues.
The work lays on top of an extensive fieldwork - working long-term and interviewing families that have adopted in partnership with Bulgarian Association of Adopted and Adopters - BAOO.
The show explores the theme of 'different' families in Bulgaria from the point of view of empathy and raises important questions about tolerance and the true nature of the family.