The multimedia performance “My Neighbourhood” tells the story of Christian Stejskal’s pilgrimage on foot from his birthplace, Vienna, through Jerusalem, to the holy city of Aksum in northern Ethiopia. Along the way, he encountered the Zabaleen – Cairo’s unofficial Christian garbage collectors, who live in what is known as Garbage City. They are particularly known for pig farming – a controversial activity in a Muslim country – while living amidst the refuse of the city itself.

Christian Stejskal spent five years photographing these people and writing stories about them, while earning my living as a violinist at the Cairo Opera House, including during the Egyptian Revolution. He has combined the photographs and stories with his own composed music, which Christian will perform live on the violin.

The result is a 90-minute performance about politics, revolution, religion, pigs, garbage, friendship, and love.