To mark his 60th birthday and 35 years of theatrical career, Solohery Ramamonjy is reviving "Ny fireneko", a play inspired by a true story that celebrates attachment to Madagascar. Antananarivo Teatra is honouring Solohery Ramamonjy's 35 years of service while upholding the values of Malagasy theatre and culture.
Love of country will take centre stage this weekend. To celebrate his 60 years and 35 years of career, Solohery Ramamonjy, president of Trop Antananarivo Teatra, will present "Ny fireneko" this Sunday at Ivokolo Analakely. Through this work inspired by real events, the director wishes to convey a powerful message to younger generations: "Love your country".
The story unfolds in the 1950s. Rasamy, a father deeply devoted to his homeland, sends two of his four sons to study abroad, hoping they will return to serve the Malagasy people with their knowledge. But the two young men choose not to return home, plunging their father into deep despair that drives him to madness. When they finally come back, a question remains at the heart of the play: do they return out of love for their country or because their father has gone mad due to their absence? "The message we want to convey is love of country. Theatre must highlight what makes the Malagasy people unique," emphasises Solohery Ramamonjy.
Dean of the Troupe
To faithfully recreate this era, actors will wear costumes characteristic of the 1950s, particularly poplin clothing. The performance, lasting nearly two hours, will also take on the atmosphere of a birthday celebration, with cake shared between the artist and the audience after the show.
Born on July 17, 1966, Solohery Ramamonjy joined Antananarivo Teatra in 1991 at age 25 as the troupe's youngest actor. Today, after most of his predecessors have passed away, he leads the company, while Elina Rabarinjaka remains honorary president. "Today, I have become the dean. We especially want to attract young people to theatre," he confides.
Founded in 1944 by Ramanda Albert, Antananarivo Teatra is among the country's oldest troupes. It has been marked by figures such as Henri Rabary-Njaka, Richard Harimanana and Manarivo Rabary-Njaka. In 1960, during a competition organised by the Antananarivo city council at the initiative of Richard Randriamanjato, Henri Rabary-Njaka won first prize and the title of best actor in the role of Rasamy. In 82 years of existence, the troupe has had no inactive years, except when lacking a performance venue. Its objective remains unchanged: to transmit the Malagasy language, strengthen love of country, preserve traditions and ensure continuity through around twenty young actors.