María Goiricelaya, a 43-year-old Basque playwright and director, reflects on how motherhood altered her perception of mortality and sparked her creative process. With the birth of her daughter six years ago, she found herself grappling with new fears and a realization that life is finite. This introspection has deeply influenced her latest theatrical works, which are currently being showcased in Madrid and delve into the emotional complexities surrounding death and the silences that often accompany it.

Goiricelaya is premiering two plays that tackle the profound themes of loss and dignity in death. The first, 'Tres noches en Ítaca,' penned by Alberto Conejero, explores the aftermath of a mother’s unexpected death through the lens of her three adult daughters, confronting the grief and the societal taboos related to mourning. The second work, titled 'Ni flores, ni funeral, ni cenizas, ni tantán,' is written by Goiricelaya herself and addresses the concept of 'good dying,' as it portrays the journey of accompanying a father towards death, emphasizing the importance of peace and dignity in that process.

Through her plays, Goiricelaya seeks to challenge audiences to rethink their understanding of death and the decisions surrounding end-of-life care. By confronting these often-unspoken fears and providing a narrative that celebrates dignity and choice, she aims to initiate conversations about mortality that can help normalize these discussions in society. As her works resonate with themes of personal agency in the face of death, they invite viewers to reflect on their own beliefs and practices relating to dying well.