The “The Legend of Hamelin, maybe the Story of the Transylvanian Saxons” tour. Over 750 students from Sibiu County enjoyed the theatre

The German Department of the “Radu Stanca” National Theatre in Sibiu (TNRS), with the support of the German Embassy in Romania and the German Consulate in Sibiu, has recently concluded the tour of the show “The Legend of Hamelin, maybe the Story of the Transylvanian Saxons”, directed by Andrei and Andreea Grosu.

From December 4 to 9, 2024, this production was presented in Avrig, Cisnădie and Agnita, bringing joy to approximately 750 students. The show was presented as a gift to the youngsters on the holidays and was received with applause and enthusiasm.

The cast of the show includes Johanna Adam, Emöke Boldizsár, Theodora Sandu, Ali Deac, Fabiola Petri, Daniel Bucher, Gyan Ros, Eva Frățilă and Daniel Plier. The scenography was directed by Vladimir Turturica, the original music by Mihai Dobre and the dramaturgy by Andrei and Andreea Grosu.

In the heart of Germany, there is a picturesque town called Hamelin, made famous by a legend that has stood the test of time. “The Legend of Hamelin” is one of medieval Europe’s most enigmatic tales, combining elements of fact and fiction, and has remained a subject of interest and debate among historians and storytellers for centuries.

According to legend, in 1284, Hamelin was struck by an invasion of rats. The town was under siege and the inhabitants were desperate. A foreign flautist, renowned for his musical skills, arrived in the town and offered to help the people get rid of the rats for a generous reward.

After successfully ridding the town of rats, the flautist came to claim the promised reward from the local authorities. However, the town council changed its mind and offered him only a small amount of money. The next day, all the children in the town mysteriously disappeared. According to legend, the flautist seduced them with his music and lured them away from the town.

Some historians believe that the story refers to the mass emigration of the population of Hamelin in 1212, when the locals left with their children to Eastern Europe, including Transylvania. So, the flautist was not a single person, but represented the authorities’ call for the relocation of the citizens. They would be the first Saxons to arrive in Transylvania.