Sotto Voce: Lila Loisse

Sotto Voce explores the role of fire in nomadic European traditions, particularly its connection to memory and loss. In Sinti culture, fire plays a central role in rituals, such as the burning of the deceased in their caravan to prevent the spirit, or "mulo," from returning. Traditionally, the Sinti do not dwell on the past to understand their history. There is a delicate balance between the world of the living and the world of the dead, a balance that defines Sinti existence. This balance demands that the living not disturb the ancestors, which is why respect and silence are often maintained.

Following the Second World War, almost no written records of the nomadic community survived, as trauma and memory were often left unspoken. This performance reflects on fire as both a passage to the afterlife and a way to bury memory.

Taking place at OVA Farm, the performance draws on the solidarity between farmers and nomads during WWII, referencing the artist’s grandmother’s experience of hiding on a farm during the war. This connection highlights a shared history of protection and resilience.

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A project by Lila Loisse, guest artist in residence at Villa Romana, supported by ERIAC (European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture) and Villa Romana.

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