RICHARD PETTIFER
drama director, born in Australia, based in Berlin, Germany
From the beginning of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he supports Ukrainian cultural workers here in Berlin
This table near the window is Richard's favorite place in his apartment. He likes working there, but this place is often occupied by his amazing housemate.
Me: Do you have a favorite cup?
Richard: Yes, I had one. But it was broken. Do you want to take a photo of it?
Me: Maybe you have some old photos?
Richard: You can take photos of me describing it.
It was a big black cup with the text “Master of Disaster” written in white letters. Perfect for the morning.
Richard: Yes, I had one. But it was broken. Do you want to take a photo of it?
Me: Maybe you have some old photos?
Richard: You can take photos of me describing it.
It was a big black cup with the text “Master of Disaster” written in white letters. Perfect for the morning.
Many books in Richard's library weren’t bought by him, but rather found on the street, or he got them as unwanted presents. Richard doesn't like new books but old ones. He thinks of the books as friends.
These are some books that Richard wants to read, but hasn’t done it yet. One of them is a collection of plays by Mark Ravenhill. Richard met him, but unfortunately never read any of his books.
Richard was once dating an amazing playwright from Romania. When he was visiting Romania, she bought him this book, because he was going to Cluj-Napojca. He doesn't really like the book itself, but keeps it as a memory about that person.
I asked Richard if he had anything that helped him in professional or personal development. He said: "Working in my garden". It's not far from his home. Doing simple things with his hands helps Richard to process the stuff that happens to him.
"Concentration is the thing. All the time when I experience stress and pressure, some concentration and attention help me. This is very important to my work, to be able to think clearly and properly, to on organise and protect my thought from things that try to steal it.
Some people use meditation for this purpose. But for me, it's not about changing my brain. Everything is okay with the way I think. I just need to somehow, urgently, build a fortified space to concentrate."
Some people use meditation for this purpose. But for me, it's not about changing my brain. Everything is okay with the way I think. I just need to somehow, urgently, build a fortified space to concentrate."
All the things that Richard put in his bug-out bag have both practical and emotional meaning. He says, "I'm very pedantic about it." For example, the scarf is relatively warm and stylish, so it is worth taking it for practical reasons. And at the same time, it is a gift from a fantastic ex, 16 years ago, so it also offers a different type of protection.
Packing his backpack, Richard didn't feel like a refugee preparing for evacuation. It was more like preparing for a trip.Then we talked for a while about the difference between these two emotional states, particularly the feeling when you have no place to come back.
