Gender Recycling through the Virdžina / Tobelija Tradition

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30827/meslav.23.29178

Abstract

The construction and interpretation of characters with a gender opposite to one's own doesn't occur only in the theatrical context; it also exists in other traditions of a representative nature, particularly those that deal with the issues of performativity and gender changing and/or fluidity. The present study, from a non-binary theatrical perspective, deals with the social construction of the male gender on the body of a biologically female person in the patriarchal Virdžina, known also as Tobelija tradition, formerly practiced in the Western Balkans. As well, this essay explores the applications, interrelationships and interactions between this Balkan practice and the non-binary construction of characters in theater, which would shed light on how gender discourse can be influenced and/or challenged through artistic and cultural intertextuality.

Keywords: Virdžina, Women, Gender, Theatre recycling, Gender performativity.

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Author Biography

Sabri Zekri Arabzadeh, University of Granada and University of Bologna

Sabri Zekri Arabzadeh is a theatre researcher, director and teacher. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Direction, and his Master’s degree in Theatre Studies. In 2010, Sabri founded Recycling Performance Factory Theatre Company, and in 2016, he created La Asociación de tTeatro Experimental Mirada. Since 2008, Sabri has directed numeros theatre plays and theatre workshops in South Korea, Egypt, Greece, Poland, Spain, Portugal and Iran. Currently he is a Cotutelle PhD candidate in "Women's Studies. Discourses and Gender Practices" at the University of Granada and "Modern Languages, Literatures, and Culture: Diversity and Inclusion, Curriculum 2: EDGES-Women's and Gender Studies" at the University of Bologna.

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Published

2024-12-31

How to Cite

Zekri Arabzadeh, S. (2024). Gender Recycling through the Virdžina / Tobelija Tradition. Mundo Eslavo, (23), 117–133. https://doi.org/10.30827/meslav.23.29178

Issue

No. 23 (2024): Special Issue "Man Needs the Whole Globe: Chekhov Expanded"

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2024 Mundo Eslavo

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