For a decade now, the Munich-based initiative Theater Grenzenlos (“Theatre Without Borders”) has offered young refugees a powerful space for artistic expression and this week, its newest production premieres at the city’s prestigious Volkstheater.
The piece, titled Liebe (“Love”), is the latest in a series of productions developed entirely with and by unaccompanied minors who fled to Germany from countries including Uganda, Somalia, Ukraine, and Afghanistan. Set to premiere on June 25 and 26, the show asks a deceptively simple question: What happens when we truly open our hearts?
The ensemble behind Liebe includes twelve young performers, all of whom bring their personal stories, perspectives, and emotional truths to the stage. As with past Theater Grenzenlos productions, the script evolved through improvisation, giving participants the freedom to explore themes close to their own lives—this time through the lens of affection, connection, and emotional vulnerability.
The project began modestly ten years ago in the Mohr-Villa, a cultural center in Munich’s Freimann district. It was there that founder Viktor Schenkel, then working as a caretaker, noticed that the building sat between a middle school and a shelter for unaccompanied minors. Seeing an opportunity for dialogue and understanding, Schenkel—himself an experienced performer—invited the young residents to experiment with theatre as a way of processing their experiences and connecting with others.
Since then, Theater Grenzenlos has developed original pieces on themes like Home, Balance, and What We Inherit. The productions are always collaborative and grounded in the lived realities of their young cast members.
This year’s production is particularly symbolic: it not only celebrates the group’s tenth anniversary but also marks their first performances on a major public stage. The premiere at the Volkstheater will include a formal ceremony, featuring remarks from well-known Munich comedian and activist Christian Springer. Afterward, Liebe will tour six additional venues across Munich and Memmingen.
