Europe has long considered itself to be a safe place. »Never again war« was the promise made after the catastrophes of the 20th century. Yet today, 100 years later, that certainty is coming to an end. War has returned to Europe, calls for rearmament are growing louder and a new military service has been introduced, marking a so-called »turning point«. »Achilles’ Sehnen« links the ancient story of Achilles with the burning question of our time: how can we find security in a constantly changing world?

Achilles is one of the most famous heroes in Greek mythology, regarded as an invincible warrior. Torn between duty, expectations, and his own desires, he must choose between a long life of insignificance or a short life full of glory. This myth of an almost invincible hero is full of contradictions, reflecting a contemporary reality in which strength is confused with security, and vulnerability has no place.

The young ensemble at stellwerk explores this question: Why should we fight, and for what? What visions of the future emerge for young people when so many expectations are placed upon them, and insurmountable pressure is ever-present? »Achilles’ Sehnen« attempts to provide a platform for their voices, their doubts, and their anger at the prospect of becoming part of destructive historical repetition once again.