Bangladeshi migrants perform in Lisbon play exploring immigrant life

A theatre production portraying the realities of migrant life is being staged in Lisbon, Portugal, featuring performances by eight Bangladeshi expatriates.

Titled “Um Inimigo do Povo” (Enemy of the People), the play began its run on Thursday at the Centro Cultural de Belém auditorium in the Belém district of Lisbon and will continue until tomorrow (Sunday).

The production is written and directed by Portuguese filmmaker Marco Martins and is inspired by “An Enemy of the People” by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen.

According to local media reports, the play explores the struggles, uncertainty and social challenges faced by immigrants living in Europe. One of its key narrative elements references a controversial police operation targeting Bangladeshi migrants, reflecting the tensions and difficulties experienced by diaspora communities.

Organisers said the performance has been designed to reach a diverse audience and is staged in four languages: Portuguese, English, Bangla and Nepali.

Alongside the eight Bangladeshi expatriate performers, the production also features two Portuguese actors and one Nepali actor.

Bangladeshi performer Nasrin Sarkar said the project marked her first experience performing in this kind of theatre production, despite her previous work in other artistic fields.

The four-day theatrical event has generated strong interest among migrant audiences in Lisbon. Organisers confirmed that all tickets were sold out before the performances began.