Sepping begins rehearsals for Europeana at Rakvere Theatre

Rehearsals have begun at Rakvere Theatre for Europeana, a production based on Patrik Ouředník’s book and directed and performed by Johannes Richard Sepping, ERR reports.

The fast-paced production uses absurdist humour to link major historical events with seemingly trivial details. It moves between East and West, communism and consumer society, war and everyday life, Barbie and Buchenwald. Rather than following a chronological account of history, it unfolds as a continuous stream of thought, bringing together humanity’s achievements, absurdities and disasters.

Sepping said he had set himself the seemingly impossible task of summing up about a century of human history in roughly an hour and a half. He compared the production’s flow of information to today’s news and headlines, and said he wanted to explore whether empathy for others could be preserved amid suffering and joy, prejudice and conviction.

Roos Lisette Parmas adapted the text. The production’s designer is Kairi Mändla, with Eeros Lees as assistant designer. Vootele Ruusmaa composed and arranged the music, and Roomet Villau is the lighting designer.

Europeana will premiere at Rakvere Theatre’s small hall on November 14, 2026.