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WHEN THE BLEEDING STOPS
Menopause is a violent albeit natural break of hormonal functions related to aging. The tremendous changes this process entails for the female body are but a fraction of those imposed by societal prejudices, age-old misconceptions, cultural barriers. When the Bleeding Stops is a work that actively refuses the silence, shame and ignorance related to this process by giving the stage to the chorus of those affected. A kind of “flowing otherwise” and “growing with” substitutes the pause, the break, and is collectively realized with gestures of sharing and caring.

May 23, 2026

8:30 p.m.
Olympia City Music Theatre “Maria Callas”
Greek Premiere
Iceland
Duration: 45’

WHEN THE BLEEDING STOPS

Lovísa Ósk Gunnarsdóttir
Menopause is a violent albeit natural break of hormonal functions related to aging. The tremendous changes this process entails for the female body are but a fraction of those imposed by societal prejudices, age-old misconceptions, cultural barriers. When the Bleeding Stops is a work that actively refuses the silence, shame and ignorance related to this process by giving the stage to the chorus of those affected. A kind of “flowing otherwise” and “growing with” substitutes the pause, the break, and is collectively realized with gestures of sharing and caring.

May 23, 2026

8:30 p.m.
Olympia City Music Theatre “Maria Callas”
Greek Premiere

When the Bleeding Stops is a performance work in which Lovísa Ósk Gunnarsdóttir addresses the silence and taboo that seems to engulf menopause in Western society, as well as her personal experience of aging as a dancer.

After suffering an injury five years ago, Lovísa was forced to reconsider her relationship with dance and the body. This process opened her eyes to the silence around menopause and her own lack of knowledge on the subject. She began researching, and posted an open invitation online calling on menopausal women to participate in her project. Before she knew it, she was working with a large number of women from across Icelandic society.

The work has been presented at major festivals like Julidans (Amsterdam) and Tanz im August (Berlin).

The work was selected by Aerowaves in 2023

Perfotmance Logos
All performances of the festival are free.
Pre-booking is required.

Concept, Choreography and Text: Lovísa Ósk Gunnarsdóttir

Performers: Lovísa Ósk Gunnarsdóttir, Ólöf Ingólfsdóttir, Kristjana Stefánsdóttir

Light and Sound Design: Brett Smith

Video Design: Lovísa Ósk Gunnarsdóttir and Brett Smith

Thanks to: SIgrún Ólafsdóttir, Egill Ingibergsson, Alexander Graham Roberts, Brogan Davison, Rebekka Ingimundardóttir, Valdimar Jóhannsson and Reykjavík Dance Festival

Special thanks to: all the amazing women who have participated in the project International distribution: StepTurnMove

Concept, Choreography and Text: Lovísa Ósk Gunnarsdóttir

Performers: Lovísa Ósk Gunnarsdóttir, Ólöf Ingólfsdóttir, Kristjana Stefánsdóttir

Light and Sound Design: Brett Smith

Video Design: Lovísa Ósk Gunnarsdóttir and Brett Smith

Thanks to: SIgrún Ólafsdóttir, Egill Ingibergsson, Alexander Graham Roberts, Brogan Davison, Rebekka Ingimundardóttir, Valdimar Jóhannsson and Reykjavík Dance Festival

Special thanks to: all the amazing women who have participated in the project International distribution: StepTurnMove

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