Nata Mandaria

In moederwittevrouwen თეთრი დედა ქალები, Nata Mandaria plays with the social image of women. The moederwittevrouw is a pure young housewife who serves her husband and raises her child. She is everything the patriarchy expects of her, and nothing more than that.

The condescending Georgian term: ‘დედა ქალი’ refers to young girls who serve the men in the family and are not taken seriously themselves until they marry. Acting too mature for their age, they are called ‘dedakalebi’. Back translated to “mother’s wives.

moederwittevrouwen is a critique of the constantly fluctuating role of women. From the young girl who must serve, to the stay-at-home mom who daydreams. The women around Nata Mandaria never had a choice. She does.

Nata Mandaria (she/her) is a socio-cultural worker and tries to bring these facets as a writer and performer. Originally from Limburg, she landed in Brussels when she was eighteen. She herself prefers to say that she grew up in “Little Georgia”.

Her work often starts from her story as the daughter of Georgian Orthodox, first-generation immigrants and all the limitations, beauties and pain points that entails. Someone once told her that everything starts with “a feeling.” She links that feeling back to an audience in rhythmic lyrics.

She has previously appeared with her spoken word at Outside In Festival, FASHIONCLASH, Theater Aan Zee and Europalia Georgia. As a performer, she has so far starred in Samuel Valor Reyes’ The Age of Love and (The Age Of) Resurrection. She has been delving into her own making since 2023.

Direction, text and acting: Nata Mandaria – Coaching: Samuel Valor Reyes – Dramaturgy: Marie Peeters – Costume: Aurora Mesropyan – Scenography: Kayin Luys – With the support of MESTIZO ARTS PLATFORM/WIPCOOP, fABULEUS.

Keep up to date with Nata Mandaria’s work via Instagram.

Photos © Victoriano Moreno

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