The Goethe-Institut, the Embassy of France to the Philippines, the Alliance Française de Manille, the Embassy of Italy to the Philippines - within the framework of EUNIC (European Union National Institute for Culture) - together with the Embassy of Israel as a special guest, recently organized a joint dance project focusing on Contemporary Dance.
The major partner of this project is the Contemporary Dance Network Manila, the organizers of the WiFi Body Festival, a dance festival that took place mid-July 2012 in Manila.
As part of the Wifi Body Festival, a series of workshops, art talks, screenings and performances by European and Isreali choreographers exposed the audience, which included young Filipino dancers and choreographers, to various styles in contemporary dance.
After performing in Cebu last May 26, the renowned Blanca Li Company came to Manila to present its latest creation, Elektro Kif, which was based on tektonik (a new urban dance born in the streets of Paris). This all-male dance troupe performed last May 30 at the CCP Little Theater in front of a very pleased audience.
Film screenings on various techniques and textures of dance were also spearheaded by the Embassy of France and the Alliance Française de Manille for the whole month of June. Some of the films were shown at the AFM Theater, while over 5 films were screened at the Jose P. Laurel Hall of Freedom at the Lyceum of the Philippines University, with the presence of the Director of Avignon Choreographic Center (Les Hivernales), Mr. Emmanuel Serafini last June 28.
Mr. Serafini came to take part in an art talk last June 27 in the UP Dance Studio with German choreographer Arco Renz and the Israeli choreographer Ilana Bellahsen. This talk allowed them to exchange their views and experiences on European contemporary dance with the audience (mainly Filipino dancers).
This first Focus on Contemporary Dance was a success as it gathered a new audience (students mostly) attracted by the performances and different aspects of Contemporary Dance (from the German expressionism to the French non-dance back in the 80s). It also helped Filipino Dancers improve their skills by discovering a new approach to movement.
This joint project should find new perspectives in the following years through a long-lasting partnership with the Manila Contemporary Dance Network and the Wifi Body Dance Festival with the objective of helping Filipino dancers and choreographers develop their sector and increasing their access international stages by bringing in European professionals.
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