Tabori Prize 2025 - Jury Statement

The pulk fiktion theater group has been setting standards for years with its artistic work for young audiences: formally unconventional, politically aware, aesthetically outstanding.

pulk fiktion is an independent association of artists from a wide range of disciplines – theater, film, music, performance and video art – led by artistic directors Hannah Biedermann and Lisa Zehetner. As an independent theater company without a permanent venue, but with all the greater reach, they create theatrical pieces that focus on the realities of young people's lives. Their work combines seriousness with experimentation, attitude with humor – and creates spaces for encounter and participation. Outstanding productions such as “Unsere Grube” and “GRUSEL” are testament to this.

With the production “Denken ohne Geländer,” Hannah Biedermann takes a unique view of the philosopher Hannah Arendt and conveys to audiences aged 13 and older the democratic necessity of tolerating contradictions. According to the Kölner Rundschau: “The spontaneity with which pulk fiktion ignites philosophical discourse gives the theater experience a freshness that shows why we need this medium so much.” And yes, it is this playing with spontaneity that has characterized the group's work for many years and makes the theatrical experience something special, not only for children and young people.

At the same time, pulk fiktion is a strong voice for policy issues affecting young people. Their ongoing work exemplifies an understanding of theater that does not talk down to children and young people, but meets them on an equal footing. With projects such as “JUNGERpulk,” they actively invite young people to contribute – a strong plea for participatory practice and an inclusive understanding of culture. In conversation, it becomes clear that pulk fiktion attaches great importance to working on the future with the people who will shape it.

pulk fiktion is also committed to visibility, participation and ensuring that theater for young audiences is appropriately anchored in the funding structures.

With the award, the jury is honoring a group that knows how to bring creativity and criticism, art and responsibility into productive tension. A theater that does not shy away from the present – and that gives young people a stage: as audience, co-creators and the key to the future.

pulk fiktion is theater for today. And for tomorrow.

The expert jury of the Fonds Darstellende Künste is awarding the Tabori Prize 2025, endowed with 100,000 euros to be used for the realization of a project, to pulk fiktion.