I'm bringing a Balkan Erotic Epic to Manchester - here's the details

Aviva Studios, will present the world premiere of Balkan Erotic Epic by artist Marina Abramović.

The Epic draw on Balkan folklore using song, dance and ritual in an immersive exploration of eroticism, spirituality and cultural tradition.

Brought to life by a cast of over 70 performers - including dancers, musicians and singers - it feature thirteen scenes, each drawing on rituals, legends and beliefs from the Balkan region.

This is an immersive experience as audiences are invited to navigate the performance freely.

In many ancient societies, erotic rituals were sacred expressions of connection between the body, the earth, and the cosmos - far removed from modern associations with pornography or taboo.

Marina Abramović, said: “In our culture today, we label anything erotic as pornography.”

Adding: “Balkan Erotic Epic is the most ambitious work in my career. This gives me a chance to go back to my Slavic roots and culture, look back to ancient rituals and deal with sexuality, in relation to the universe and the unanswered questions of our existence. Through this project I would like to show poetry, desperation, pain, hope, suffering, and reflect our own mortality."

This is an opportunity for UK audiences to experience the full force of her creative vision in this new experience.

John McGrath, Artistic Director and Chief Executive, Factory International said: “It is a real honour to be working with Marina Abramović on the world premiere of Balkan Erotic Epic at Aviva Studios. Marina is one of the most influential artists of our time, connecting with audiences across the globe - from the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury to MoMA in New York. This new performance work offers an unmissable opportunity for audiences to experience the next chapter of her creative life - bold, immersive, and on a scale that’s truly unprecedented."

Following the world premiere in Manchester, Factory International will present Balkan Erotic Epic to international co-commissioners, starting in Barcelona in January 2026.