FROM VECMĪLGRĀVIS WITH LOVE
Authors and performers: Koen Augustijnen, Katrīna Albuže, Evita Birule, Dmitrijs Gaitjukevičs, Aldis Liepiņš, Elīna Lutce, Roberts Muciņš, Eva Krūniņa, Kristīne Brīniņa
Produced by New Theater Institute of Latvia
Premier: 18th June 2014
Location Ziemeļblāzmas street 51 and the park of the Culture palace 'Ziemeļblāzma', Ziemeļblāzmas street 36
Duration 1h
The Flemish choreographer Koen Augustijnen worked in the Vecmilgravis neighbourhood of Riga together with eight Latvian dancers to create a performance of a community which wishes to stay together yet is constantly drifting apart. Based on stories and impressions collected by the dancers during the research in the neigbourhood, the performance dwells on questions about community in transition, considering also the traditional Latvian folk dance as a value that is subject to change.
The performance takes place outdoors in two emotionally and visually contrasting places of Vecmilgravis – a courtyard between residential buildings from the Soviet era and in the local park next to the cultural palace. The show starts off with a feast for everyone present and then goes on as a performance in the urban space.
Performance is a part of the project Dance Moves Cities
Dance Moves Cities is an artistic project focusing on the potential of urban spaces to become inspiration sites for contemporary dance creations and international collaboration as a mode of production.
Dance Moves Cities is a 'Riga 2014 – European Capital of Culture' event.
More about Dance Moves Cities: www.dancemovescities.eu
Supported by the EU Culture programme, Japan Foundation, EU-Japan Fest, Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia, Foundation Riga 2014, Culture palace 'Ziemeļblāzma', Diena