Rosa L.

Venue: Chamber - Rosa Luxemburg was born in 1871 in southeastern present-day Poland; she began as a Polish Social Democrat, studied in Switzerland, became a charismatic Berlin figure and an icon of the European left. She goes down in history as a militant politician in a man's world, as a revolutionary socialist in the Empire and as a significant Marxist theorist. The assassination by right-wing Free Corps on January 15, 1919 in the middle of Berlin put an end to their work.

In 1986, exactly 40 years ago, filmmaker Margarethe von Trotta translated the story of one of the most important political figures of the 20th century into opulent images. In a mix of play and documentary scenes, the film is dedicated to the political and private side of Rosa Luxemburg. Director Anica Tomić, who lives in Croatia, edits the film for the stage and continues it into today together with author Jelena Kovačić. How can Rosa Luxemburg be read and thought... at a time when militarization is justified with talk of crisis and security... at a time when nationalism is on the rise in Europe... at a time when fear is becoming a political instrument and war is once again being imagined?

Dramaturge Bernd Isele spoke with director Anica Tomić for the 2026/27 season magazine — click here for the interview.