As part of the Roots of Dance/Korzenie tańca project, Polish and Mexican artists visited the city of Merida. Successive study visits throughout 2022 will be paid to Malaysia, India, and the USA, among others. The year will conclude with a festival in Poland featuring artists from all participant countries, who will work together on new choreographies.
The Roots of Dance / Korzenie tańca seeks to encourage artists to draw inspiration from local cultures. The project was initiated by dr hab. Aleksandra Dziurosz, deputy director at the National Institute of Music and Dance.
The third edition of the project began with a series of online workshops. Over the course of 15 meetings held in October and November 2021, the participants were introduced to the elements of traditional Polish dance and music culture.
The study visit to Merida was a follow up to the online workshops. It featured choreographic workshops for Mexican dancers, led by Jacek Łumiński, Aleksandra Dziurosz, and Sebastian Wiertelak.
Mexico was a sensational beginning of our journey through different cultures in search of the Roots of Dance!, said project coordinator Mateusz Czekaj. Dancers and organizers affiliated with Moving Borders had us captivated with their openness, warmth, and commitment. We showed them our Polish dance culture and they returned the favor by introducing us to their own dance and music world, and for that we are truly grateful to them, adds Czekaj.
During the live workshops, dancers sought for the roots of dance in their own culture, using them as an inspiration for new choreographic etudes.
In August 2022, several dancers from each participant country will be invited to the workshops hosted by the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice. On this occasion, they will also visit the regions of Podhale and Żywiec Beskids, meeting with the local dance communities and learning about their respective dance traditions. The joint workshops will conclude with a final project presentation in Katowice.
Presentation of choreographic etudes:
Participant statements:
Project partners in Mexico: Moving Borders escena sin fronteras, Camp in / encuentro escénico oraz Polish Embassy in Mexico (Embajada de Polonia en México).
Co-financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage as part of the “Inspiring Culture” Program.
Contact for the media:
Agata Szymczak (agata.szymczak@nimit.pl, + 48 785 310 000)
