
GESTURES BLOOMING
Strengthening the dance ecosystem in Romania (May-December 2023)
Instead of introduction…
If a documentary were made about contemporary dance in France or Germany, it would be a film about great creative figures, about performances that have made history and about aesthetically revolutionary approaches or styles.
In Romania, however, it would be a film about the stubbornness of a few artists to overcome their lack of means, about their success, beyond expectations and obstacles, in getting dance institutionally recognised as an art in its own right – by setting up a national dance center – about the constant struggle for visibility and recognition despite precariousness.
Project
The Goethe-Institut and the French Institute in Romania have been running cultural cooperation projects for several years, co-financed by the Franco-German Cultural Fund, a fund whose mission is to support initiatives through which artists and structures from France and Germany collaborate with artists and structures from other European countries, including Romania.
This year, in partnership with the CNDB, the Goethe-Institut and the French Institute in Romania have conceived and are implementing a project dedicated to the Conemporan dance: Gestures Blooming – Strengthening the dance ecosystem in Romania. The project aims to stimulate the local scene and creativity through the transfer of knowledge and practices in dance, drawing on the expertise of artists and structures in France and Germany.
In concrete terms, Gestures Blooming has 2 main axes:
For dancers and choreographers:
- Exploratory visits
Two choreographers and dancers from Romania, Eliza Trefaș (Ro) and Mariana Gavriciuc (Ro-Md), took part in the Camping programme at CND Paris from 21 to 30 June, with the support of the French Institute of Romania. This format, which is organised annually by the National Dance Centre – CND Paris, includes a substantial series of workshops for professionals, performances, film screenings, meetings, access to theoretical and specialist resources, as well as advice on becoming a professional dance artist.
CND Paris Camping 23 presentation HERE. - Dance workshops
Intensive workshops in Targu-Mures, Iasi, Bucharest, Constanta
Info on workshops HERE.
For dance teachers:
- Intensive camp
Advanced contemporary dance pedagogy camp (Teach the Teachers) coordinated by Lauriane Madelaine, Pierre Chauvin, Sunia Asbach and Nadja Raszewski.
Info about the camp courses HERE.
The dance ecosystem in Romania faces many challenges – from infrastructure and educational content to means of production and public presentation – but this does not mean that it is devoid of artistic potential and international connections. The present project was conceived starting from systemic needs but also from existing positive points and aims to contribute to the strengthening of the local dance scene through various forms of intersection, transfer and connections with artists and structures in France and Germany.