Sergi Casero Nieto: El Pacto del Olvido

Through the language of light and autofiction, this performance examines the intergenerational silence surrounding Franco’s dictatorship, revealing its impact on collective memory and future generations.

El Pacto del Olvido

• Tuesday, April 8, at 8 pm.
• Wednesday, April 9, at 8 pm.
• Thursday, April 10, at 8 pm.
• Idea and direction: Sergi Casero Nieto.
• Text by Sergi Casero Nieto with fragments and quotes from Jorge Luis Borges, Federico García Lorca and Clara Valverde.

El Pacto del Olvido is a performance that explores the intergenerational transmission of silence regarding the Franco dictatorship and its effects on Spanish collective memory. The work asserts that oblivion was not only imposed at the institutional level after Franco’s death but also reinforced within families, creating a gap in the historical narrative that affects current generations.

Through autofiction and historical analysis, the piece examines the contours of collective silence using a scenic language that combines words, lighting, and space. It incorporates original texts and fragments from authors such as Jorge Luis Borges, Federico García Lorca, and Clara Valverde, fostering a dialogue between the past and present. This dialogue questions the consequences of imposed oblivion and opens pathways for reconstructing memory.

Taking an intimate and reflective approach, El Pacto del Olvido moves away from official narratives that divide history into winners and losers. Instead, it focuses on the individual and family experiences of those who grew up in an environment marked by omission. The scenic proposal uses light as a metaphor for memory: a resource that illuminates yet also conceals, revealing layers of meaning throughout the performance.

This work emerges in a context where historical revisionism and the glorification of Franco’s regime are gaining traction in public discourse, particularly among younger generations. Thus, the performance serves as an act of resistance against oblivion, inviting audiences to explore memory and question the construction of historical narratives that shape the present.

Sergi Casero Nieto

Sergi Casero Nieto is a Spanish theater maker, performer, and designer based in Amsterdam. His productions aim to restore lost or displaced narratives in our physical present, challenging the official accounts that shape our perceptions.

Casero Nieto’s approach involves creating counter-stories to illustrate the subtle yet significant violent impacts that hegemonic narratives have on our daily lives. In his research, he explores oral history and collective memory, conducting interviews to gather diverse perspectives on past events. He also integrates personal experiences with elements of fiction and literature, drawing on various sources to challenge preconceptions and highlight the complexity of inherited narratives.

His performances have been showcased at multiple international institutions and festivals. He has also participated in international residencies, including the Centro de Residencias Trimestrales Matadero in Madrid (2023) and Live Works – Free School of Performance at Centrale Fies in Dro, Italy (2021).