Siriana, mijn vriendin

Siriana, mijn vriendin forms a musical, intimate portrait of the Bossche Siriana, a childhood friend of Karlijn Hamer. Siriana was diagnosed with autism at the age of thirty after many errors in the health system. A revelation that could have saved her a lot of suffering if she had known why she processes the world differently than to most people. In Siriana, mijn vriendin, Karlijn brings you into a musical dreamworld through a sensory installation of bicycles and beads. What is it like to experience the world so intensely and to live in a system where you are taught to ignore the signals of your own body? 

Karlijn: “Autism is often discovered too late for women because the symptoms differ from men. Often women adapt better. Siriana created a fake version of herself, a copied character who is accepted by the outside world, exhausting.” 

Siriana, mijn vriendin combines music theater with an installation work designed by visual artist Nieke Koek. Through personal documentation, memories of their childhood and the friendship of today, you are taken into the inner world of a woman with autism. With Siriana, mijn vriendin, Karlijn Hamer creates a place for and from Siriana. 

Every day, there is a short after talk about the themes in the performance directed by Bob Rensen, team manager Leermakers Autismegroep.

Accessibility / relaxed performance 

This performance is a relaxed performance on 5 August from 16.00h - 17.00h, on 6 August from 16.00h - 17.00h, and on 7 August from 19.00h - 20.00h and is particularly suitable for people with sensory sensitivity.  
Here you can read more on relaxed performances.

• The layout of the room and the use of light and sound are inspired by the wishes and sensitivity to stimuli of people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).  
• You don't have to be absolutely still if you can't.  
• There is a relaxed entry and exit of 15 minutes before and after the performance. The installation can be visited before and after the performance.  
• The performance was created in collaboration with people on the autistic spectrum, experts and healthcare providers.  
• Afterwards, an expert by experience in the field of autism will be present for questions.