Our cooperation partner: Centre de Développement Chorégraphique La Termitière

The CENTRE DE DÉVELOPPEMENT CHORÉGRAPHIQUE LA TERMITIÈRE (CDC), a leading center for contemporary dance in Burkina Faso, represents an inspiring fusion of movement and social engagement. Under the leadership of Salia Sanou and Seydou Boro, the choreographers use dance as a universal language to explore themes such as resilience, identity, and community, offering new perspectives to audiences and participants alike.

As part of our 2024 Artist-in-Residence program, the choreographers will collaborate closely with the invited artists to create workshops for the local community at the Opera Village, showcasing the transformative power of dance and performance. A key focus will be on involving internally displaced persons who have sought refuge in the region. Many of these young individuals have been uprooted by conflict and instability, facing the dual challenge of processing traumatic experiences and adapting to a new environment.

The workshops at the Opera Village will provide participants with a safe space to express their emotions through dance and connect with others—transcending language barriers. Through movement, improvisation, and artistic reflection, participants can creatively process personal and societal challenges. Dance becomes a medium that fosters healing, self-awareness, and strengthens the sense of community.

Beyond direct support for participants, the program aims to leave a lasting impact by demonstrating how dance can be a tool for social change. The workshops highlight how cultural and artistic approaches can contribute to the integration and empowerment of displaced individuals—an approach with the potential to inspire beyond the borders of Burkina Faso.

This year´s Artist-in-Residence program is supported by