Matei Vișniec views literature as a sanctuary of freedom, drawing inspiration from Kafka, Dostoevsky, and the Surrealists, while rejecting Socialist Realism. He champions cultural resistance, believing in the power of theatre and poetry to expose ideological manipulation and brainwashing. His early Romanian poetry was noted for its lucidity and bitterness, though his early plays faced staging bans. After emigrating to France, he began writing in French, and his works have since been staged internationally, establishing him as a prominent voice.
"This collection reflects the diversity of dramatic writing exploring the past and present of Romania, and takes stock thirty years after the collapse of communism. In addition to plays originally written in Romanian, the collection includes work by German, Hungarian and Roma authors born and/or working in Romania, and brings together plays written during the communist period and its aftermath."--The back cover