“The huge challenge of Edfringe is probably a big part of what makes it such an amazing and satisfying experience overall.”
WHO: Ashtar Muallem
WHAT: “Ashtar is a Jerusalemite artist who humorously explores her life and spirituality. Navigating between Palestine and France, seeking equilibrium and comfort in both. Inspired by Jerusalem and cherished memories of her grandmother, she seeks a connection with the Divine. Ashtar practices yoga and meditation, and explores tarot reading on the internet. Her elastic body mirrors her dual life, between two countries, cultures, and languages, between solitude and togetherness. Sarcastically, she presents her beliefs. Over a ceremony, poetry blends with humour and subjectivity merges with the universal, embarking on a journey of balance and contradictions, showing the beauty of interconnectedness.”
WHERE: Summerhall – Main Hall (Venue 26)
WHEN: 21:15 (60 min)
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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
This isn’t the first time for either myself or Clement Dazin (my co-creator) at the Fringe. We both participated in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2015 with our previous creations—myself with “B-Orders” and Dazin with “Bruit de Couloir.” Returning this time, I feel more prepared for the unpredictable August weather in Edinburgh and the vibrant festival atmosphere.
What makes the Edfringe such a remarkable festival is its cultural richness and diversity. It’s a melting pot where artists from around the world converge to showcase their work, creating an animated and dynamic atmosphere that lasts for a month. One of the special aspects is encountering other artists you know or admire, which fosters a sense of community and artistic exchange.
As a performer and producer, it’s incredibly rewarding to see your artistic vision come to life on such a renowned stage and to connect with audiences who are eager to explore new cultural experiences. As a punter, it’s about immersing oneself in a multitude of performances, and being part of a larger cultural conversation.
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
The biggest thing I learned in 2023 is that social media has given people real power to express themselves without needing high positions to be heard. The global support for Palestine during this ethnic cleansing showed me that the masks have dropped, and power now lies with the people. I have great hope in the youth and future generations to restore some of what previous generations
failed to achieve.
Tell us about your show.
The show is an intimate peek into my life and thoughts as a Palestinian woman in her 30s living between Palestine and France. I share beautiful memories from my homeland and my city, Jerusalem, while also addressing the occupation I was born under. In France, I reflected deeply on these experiences, away from the intense life in Palestine, and these reflections are what I share with my audience. Moving from the personal to the universal, I expose myself, allowing the audience to see both the serious and comic sides of me.
Clement Dazin and I met in circus school in 2010 in Chalons-en-Champagne and worked well together even then. Ten years later, he invited me to be part of a show with six other artists from our circus school days. After the first week of creation, he saw that I had a lot of material to share and invited me to work on a solo show, with him directing. We created “Cosmos” in just three weeks, during which I performed many improvisations that Clement organised in a dramaturgical
order, and we collaboratively wrote the text together.
After Edinburgh, we will tour Europe, including Budapest, Belgium, France, and Spain. In 2025, we have plans for a small tour in the USA.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
I would recommend “The Show For Young Men” at Dance Base as an excellent performance to attend. While it is quite different from “Cosmos,” it is a great family show that explores preconceived notions about the roles of men and the upbringing of boys in society. The performance delves into how societal expectations confine men, dictating how they should act and behave. It also touches on the impact of appearances on their lives and highlights the various ways men can freely
express their emotions.
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