Artistic Concept

“This work was inspired by your country, your art, your history. It is a game about harmony.”

— Teet Kask

Rather than depicting war or physical confrontation, Go – A Game for Two visualizes the strategic, philosophical, and psychological tension behind the calm surface of a Go board. Every step, every gesture is a move; every pause, a negotiation. The black-and-white polarity of Go becomes a metaphor for coexistence and duality — yin and yang, silence and intensity, self and other.
The character dynamics were influenced by Japanese writer Yasunari Kawabata’s novels The Master of Go and Snow Country, exploring themes of solitude, restraint, and unspoken conflict.

Costume Design

“I studied each dancer individually — their personalities, their energy — and designed costumes to reflect who they are.”

— Madis Nurms, Costume & Set Designer

The visual world of the performance is stark yet poetic: inspired by the simplicity and contrast of the Go board, but infused with the individuality of each performer. Every costume is custom-made to match the dancer’s inner rhythm, adding a human layer to the abstract geometry of the choreography.

Cultural Significance

Go is more than a game — it is a mirror of life. As world chess champion Emanuel Lasker once remarked:

“If intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe, they’re likely to play Go.”

Through this production, Chinese philosophical depth meets European stagecraft, echoing the very essence of the Belt and Road’s cultural vision: dialogue, understanding, and shared artistry.

About the Choreographer: Teet Kask

Teet Kask is one of Estonia’s most internationally active dance artists — a choreographer, director, and mentor who combines Vaganova classical training with contemporary expression. Discovered at the age of 12 by Oleg Vinogradov of the Mariinsky Ballet, Teet later danced with the Royal Swedish Ballet and Norwegian National Ballet and collaborated with dance legends Mats Ek, Jiří Kylián, and Glen Tetley.

He holds an MA in Choreography from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance (London), and is deeply inspired by Chinese philosophy — particularly Taoist and Confucian thought. His favorite quote from Laozi:

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

About Vanemuine Theatre

Founded in 1870, Vanemuine Theatre in Tartu is Estonia’s oldest theatre and the only institution in the country to combine drama, opera, and ballet under one roof. Known for its pioneering spirit and cross-genre innovation, Vanemuine has a long tradition of international collaboration and creative risk-taking. Under the leadership of Kaarel Ird (1944–1985), the theatre introduced groundbreaking works across multiple disciplines — a spirit that continues today.