Identity and Memory in Dance

The Opera Village Africa has developed into an important cultural center since its foundation, offering space for creative expression to both artists and the local community. As part of our Artist-in-Residence program for 2024/2025, which is being carried out in collaboration with various local partner organizations, the focus is on fostering artistic practice and social exchange. The goal of the program is to strengthen intercultural dialogue through various workshops, preserve the cultural identity of the participants, and promote a sense of community. This year’s residency program also provides a platform to implement artistic and educational projects in collaboration with local and international artists. As part of our cooperation with the Centre de Développement Chorégraphique (CDC) La Termitière, particular attention is given to dance workshops that offer young people, especially internally displaced persons, the opportunity to express themselves creatively and develop new perspectives. The workshops are divided into three thematic axes, each focusing on specific aspects of personal and collective development.

With the start of our Artist-in-Residence program 2024/2025 at Opera Village Africa, we and our project partners have placed a special focus on the theme of “personal and cultural identity.” In the first dance workshops in cooperation with the Centre de Développement Chorégraphique (CDC) La Termitière, titled “Connection to Oneself,” internally displaced persons were encouraged through dance and movement to engage with their own cultural roots. The workshops took place weekly at Opera Village Africa from November to December 2024. Under the guidance of experienced dance educators, participants embarked on a journey into their own cultural past. “We wanted to give young people the opportunity to connect with their traditions and reflect on their personal history,” explains Bienvenu Zambelogo, one of the program leaders.

In various practical sessions, traditional dances such as Warba and Gourmantché were explored to make the cultural heritage visible. The participants worked together to create a dance repertoire that not only celebrated their heritage but also raised the question of how to preserve traditions in a globalized world. “It’s about understanding who we are and where we come from. This is invaluable, especially in times of displacement,” emphasizes Tamar Ouédraogo, another workshop leader. Following the first series of workshops, the choreographies developed were publicly presented at Opera Village, and the results were not only impressive to the dance educators and local audience: The young people showed a stronger connection to their cultural identity and developed a new sense of self-confidence. The awareness of their own history strengthened the resilience of the participants and laid an important foundation for the further workshops that will be held as part of our residency program.(Photos: Orson Severing)

      This year’s Artist-in-Residence Program is supported by