We spoke with Alessandro Ienzi, Director of Raizes Theatre, about the connection between art and human rights, and the performance La Caja de Concreto, presented during the opening of the Venice School for Human Rights Defenders 2025.
Ienzi explained that La Caja de Concreto grew out of conversations with Lorent Saleh about democracy, freedom, poetry, and the often-forgotten reality of political prisoners worldwide. The performance highlights the resilience of those living under oppression and conveys a powerful message: freedom cannot be extinguished. Through Lorent’s story, the work celebrates courage, resistance, and the enduring struggle for democracy and human dignity.
Addressing the new generation of human rights defenders in Venice, Ienzi emphasized the importance of staying grounded in one’s values during a time of growing uncertainty and polarization. He described theatre as a space for reflection and clarity, capable of inspiring creativity, hope, and renewed commitment to rights, inclusion, and democratic citizenship.
Reflecting on the broader role of art in social change, Ienzi noted that theatre helps audiences connect with the deeper dimensions of human experience, revealing sources of courage, empathy, and resilience. For him, both theatre and the human rights movement are driven by the same enduring belief: that hope, conscience, and solidarity will continue to inspire action in defense of human dignity and freedom.