Let the Body Speak: Rebuilding the Community is an initiative spearheaded by the UA Contemporary Dance Platform in collaboration with The Independent Dance Association in Estonia, Toplocentrala Centre for Contemporary Arts in Bulgaria, and Association PARTY in Latvia. This project aims to showcase Ukrainian contemporary performing art in Europe, rejuvenate professional connections within the dance community, and unite Ukrainian choreographers across three countries.
This presentation of Ukrainian contemporary performing art in Europe is vital for understanding the realities of life in Ukraine during the russian invasion, as the entire nation strives for victory. The program features:— a showcase of dance performances created in 2022-2023;— premieres of short dance films;— discussions with dance professionals on rebuilding national community connections across different countries;— a dance workshop, which will serve as a platform for professional and cultural exchange. Overall, this event stands as a potent cultural weapon against Russian narratives and serves as a tool for disseminating information about contemporary Ukrainian art and culture.
The Let the Body Speak: Rebuilding the Community project is implemented by the UA Contemporary Dance Platform with support of IZOLYATSIA foundation, Trans Europe Halles and Malý Berlín and co-financed by the ZMINA:Rebuilding program, created with the support of the European Union under a dedicated call for proposals to support Ukrainian displaced people and the Ukrainian Cultural and Creative Sectors. Supported by Ukrainian Cultural Foundation and Ukrainian Institute.
THE PROGRAM OFPRESENTATIONS
LATVIARiga
Ukrainian screen dance presentationRoundtable discussionDanse Macabre. The Immortal DanceThe Traces
ESTONIATallinn
Ukrainian screen dance presentationRoundtable discussionThe TrapInsomniaThe Traces
BULGARIASofia
Ukrainian screen dance presentationWorkshopRoundtable discussionDanse Macabre. The Immortal DanceThe Traces
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION
THE PROJECT IS BEING CREATED BY
The UA Contemporary Dance Platform was created to coordinate and unite the efforts of choreographers and performers of contemporary dance in Ukraine. To popularize it among audiences and communities, along with other forms of performative arts.A particular area of activity of the Platform is cooperation with international institutions, companies, producers for the development of cultural diplomacy and the presentation of Ukrainian art abroad.
The team:Anton Ovchinnikov — head of the organization, international relations managerOleksandr Manshylin — executive director, project managerVictoria Khoroshilova — communication manager and marketerRita Lira — SMM manager and content creator
Sõltumatu Tantsu Lava (STL, Independent Dance Association) is a dance performance and development center established in 2005. STL’s vision is to focus on contemporary dance art in its various forms of expression. In addition to performances, STL organizes movement workshops, creative residencies, lectures, Dance Marathon, PREMIERE platform for emerging dance artists, artists’ short forms evening Greenfield, the Baltic Dance Platform and many others. During these years, STL has brought up a loyal audience, which is still increasing. STL serves the residencies with administrative and technical support, as well as professional feedback, by local cultural authorities, and other local active artists.
Toplocentrala Regional Centre For Contemporary Arts is a new venue in Sofia for contemporary artistic forms. Its main focus is on contemporary performing arts, visual arts, street and urban arts, circus, digital arts, music and literature. The Centre also offers informal education and training Started in 2014 as an initiative of a group of artists and organizations from the independent arts sector to transform the former heating facility of the National Palace of Culture into a modern cultural center and artistic venue, the idea was embraced by Sofia Municipality and came into reality in 2021. Toplocentrala Centre for Contemporary Arts is a public law body, created by Sofia Municipality. Its official status according to Bulgarian law is “regional cultural institute” and it is funded by Sofia Municipality and the Ministry of Culture.
Association PARTY is a non-governmental organization founded in 2014 in Latvia, Riga that unites Latvian professional contemporary dance artists.PARTY specializes in the creation and production of dance performances, events, workshops and educational programs (approximately 70 yearly), support of Latvian dance artists to realize their ideas, creation and realization of collaboration projects with foreign artists and companies, touring and promote the contemporary dance in Latvia and Latvian contemporary dance abroad. PARTY have performed and taught in Finland, Norway, Sweden, Estonia, Lithuania, China, North Macedonia, USA, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Ireland, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Burkina Faso, Slovenia etc. PARTY also organizes the annual International Contemporary Dance Festival “LAIKS DEJOT” (Time to Dance) in Riga, Latvia.
© UA CONTEMPORARY DANCE PLATFORM
email: moc.liamg%40mroftalp.ecnad.au