Bílá Voda (White Water): A Theatrical Production Exploring Faith and Resistance

This production, based on Kateřina Tučková's novel, tells the story of two young girls consecrated to God who arrive in a remote village in 1950, facing the harsh realities of the communist regime's internment of nuns. It explores themes of faith, loyalty, and resistance against secular, ecclesiastical, and state authorities.

Bílá Voda, or White Water, is a theatrical production presented at the Estates Theatre, based on the award-winning novel by Kateřina Tučková. The narrative centers on Tobie and Evarista, two young girls devoted to God, who arrive in a secluded village on the last night of September 1950. This was a period when the communist regime systematically interned all nuns across Czechoslovakia into concentration convents. The girls are compelled to work in a local factory alongside other nuns, enduring severe hardship; Tobie suffers a permanent injury from the labor, while Evarista faces humiliation in a communist prison after her vow of chastity is forcibly broken. Despite these trials, Evarista's faith and loyalty to her order remain unbroken. The production delves into the challenging question of whether a nun can effectively rebel against both secular and ecclesiastical authorities, and stand firm against a repressive regime and a collaborating church. The narrative highlights that the most profound battles are often fought within one's own soul. The novel, awarded the 2022 Czech State Award for Literature, sheds light on the often-overlooked history of women's religious orders under communist rule and examines the significant role of women within the Catholic Church, prompting reflection on belief, ideology, and the motivations behind acts of faith or opposition.

Ticketing information is available, with performances scheduled on various dates. Visitors are directed to the National Theatre website for tickets and details. The event is recommended for ages 15+ and is presented in Czech with English surtitles.