DRP "Loneliness – generations of isolation, wherever you go, every face wears a mask" intertwines an intimate confession by a pupil, Zoja, expert commentaries by a psychologist Dr. Kristijan Musek Lešnik, a clinical psychologist Dr. Tristan Rigler and an anthropologist Dr. Dan Podjed as well as freestyle inserts by Um&Kuna collective's freestyle show. It brings to light and explores the problems young people were facing during the C19 epidemic. Finishing elementary school, starting high-school and being denied traditional “rituals” (such as end-of-the-school-year dance), being schooled online, the loss of routine, stuck in virtual reality, depression, loneliness and in the end, return to a new normal – these are the topics the author and director Špela Kravogel and sound engineer Matjaž Miklič explore in the documentary radio play in three parts.
>> Samota Announcement in Slovenian
First part
Initial joy, felt when epidemic was declared and school was to be conducted online, soon turns to something less joyful. Finishing elementary school with a traditional end-of-school-year dance where everyone had to dance by themselves, with parents who could only be there virtually, starting high-school, going to a new school, new classmates, loss of motivation, supervision of working at home using cameras, the transition from a society of risk to a society of supervision.
>> Samota Part I - recording in Slovenian (RTV SLO portal)
Second part
A school is not just a place to acquire knowledge, in school youngsters should learn how to develop friendships, relationships and how to maintain them. Direct socialization enables young people to shape their self-image, while virtual socializing and media can create a fake reality. And because it's so difficult to maintain some structure while isolated, one's routine is disrupted, people become disoriented and that leads to mental health issues.
>> Samota Part II - recording in Slovenian (RTV SLO portal)
<< Recording - English translation>>
Third part
Long term quarantine, isolation leads to atomization of society. Closed off in our rooms like in isolation cells, which even in prison it is considered to be the strictest punishment, lonely, not knowing how much longer this is going to last. The sense of time is lost, we're inside timelessness. Maybe we'll start counting in a new way, but in any event there will be a return to a new normal, to a new, different world.
>> Samota Part III - recording in Slovenian (RTV SLO portal)
The radioplay generated an interesting open discussion.
>> Samota Open Discussion in Slovenian (RTV SLO portal)
Credits
Author of Literary Work • Špela Kravogel
Music • Um & Kuna Freestyle Show
Director and dramaturg • Špela Kravogel
Pupil Zoja • Zoja Miklič
Anthropologist • Dan Podjed
Psychologist • Kristijan Musek Lešnik
Musical performer (Um & Kuna Freestyle Show) • Urh Mlakar
Musical performer (Um & Kuna Freestyle Show) • Igor Kuna
Sound Engineer • Matjaž Miklič
Production • Radio Slovenija 3rd Program – Program Ars
