A play depicting the challenges of migrant life is currently showing in Lisbon, Portugal, with performances by eight Bangladeshi expatriates. The production, titled “Um Inimigo do Povo” (Enemy of the People), premiered on Thursday at the Centro Cultural de Belém auditorium in the Belém district and will run until Sunday.
Written and directed by Portuguese filmmaker Marco Martins, the play draws inspiration from “An Enemy of the People” by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. Local media reports describe the play as an exploration of the difficulties and social obstacles faced by immigrants in Europe. It includes a storyline referencing a contentious police operation targeting Bangladeshi migrants, highlighting the challenges of diaspora communities.
The organizers designed the performance to appeal to a diverse audience, with the play being staged in Portuguese, English, Bangla, and Nepali languages. In addition to the Bangladeshi expatriate actors, the production also features two Portuguese and one Nepali actor.
Nasrin Sarkar, a Bangladeshi performer, expressed that this project is her first venture into this type of theatrical production, despite her background in other artistic fields. The four-day event has garnered significant interest among migrant communities in Lisbon, with all tickets being sold out before the performances commenced.
