Balkan Erotic Epic at the Ruhrtriennale: Marina Abramović shakes Duisburg

Balkan Erotic Epic in Duisburg: Marina Abramović ignites an archaic stage experience

With Balkan Erotic Epic, the Ruhrtriennale 2026 brings one of the most radical and at the same time sensual works of Marina Abramović to the power station of the Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord. The German premiere combines performance, dance, and traditional Balkan songs into a four-hour ritual, where myth, body, eroticism, death, and life force clash. The result promises not a classic theater evening routine, but a dense theatrical atmosphere full of presence, friction, and collective tension. ([ruhrtriennale.de](https://www.ruhrtriennale.de/media/filer_public/7d/d8/7dd85a36-af94-4bce-b5e4-23b201d745e5/ruhrtriennale_press_folder_programme_2026.pdf))

A performance between ritual, body, and myth

The production unfolds in 13 scenes, freely movable for the audience, and works with a visual language that feels both ancient and highly contemporary. Abramović draws on memories of rituals from her childhood and translates them into a powerful stage art that does not treat the viewer as a distant observer but as part of a living event. The staging intertwines performance, dance, song, and sculptural moments into an immersive parcours that is constantly changing. ([ruhrtriennale.de](https://www.ruhrtriennale.de/en/programme/balkan-erotic-epic/199))

The venue: Power station as an industrial cathedral

The power station in Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord provides the suitable architecture for this production: a rough, monumental space whose industrial dimension amplifies the ritualistic aspect. Those who take their place here do not experience a smooth black box, but a place with character, edges, and history. The open movement in the space, the layering of sound, light, and bodies, as well as the strong acoustics of the area promise an intense stage experience. ([ruhrtriennale.de](https://www.ruhrtriennale.de/media/filer_public/7d/d8/7dd85a36-af94-4bce-b5e4-23b201d745e5/ruhrtriennale_press_folder_programme_2026.pdf))

Why this piece is electrifying right now

Balkan Erotic Epic is regarded as a monumental work by an artist who has been exploring the boundaries of performance and theater for decades. The Ruhrtriennale itself describes the work as provocative, intimate, and monumental at the same time. Press reports and previews emphasize the mixture of erotic charge, spiritual impact, and folkloric references that make the work a rare encounter between contemporary art and collective memory. ([ruhrtriennale.de](https://www.ruhrtriennale.de/media/filer_public/7d/d8/7dd85a36-af94-4bce-b5e4-23b201d745e5/ruhrtriennale_press_folder_programme_2026.pdf))

Visitor information for a long evening

The performance lasts four hours. The audience can move freely in the space during the performance and can leave or return at any time. Admission is from 18 years old, with ID checks included. There are contents with full nudity and explicit sexual scenes, along with an intense sound and light situation. Step-free access is provided via ramp access; sturdy footwear is recommended. Mobile phones are placed in lockable bags at the entrance. ([ruhrtriennale.de](https://www.ruhrtriennale.de/en/programme/balkan-erotic-epic/199))

Those who experience the Ruhrtriennale live do not get ordinary theater here, but a choreographed exceptional event between ritual, body politics, and musical invocation. This premiere is among the most compelling cultural events of late summer in Duisburg. Secure your tickets now and experience the power of this evening firsthand. ([ruhrtriennale.de](https://www.ruhrtriennale.de/de/news/marina-abramovic-balkan-erotic-epic-bei-der-ruhrtriennale-2026/111?utm_source=openai))

Official channels of Marina Abramović:

• Instagram: no official profile found
• Facebook: no official profile found
• YouTube: no official profile found
• Website: https://www.marinaabramovic.com/contact.html

Sources:

• Ruhrtriennale - Marina Abramović: Balkan Erotic Epic at the Ruhrtriennale 2026
• Ruhrtriennale - Balkan Erotic Epic
• Ruhrtriennale - Press folder programme 2026
• Ruhrtriennale - Additional performances for Balkan Erotic Epic
• Ruhrtriennale - About the Ruhrtriennale
• Ruhrtriennale - Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord in Easy Language
• The Guardian - review of Balkan Erotic Epic