Julidans

06/07/2008 - 09:00

6 July 2008
Amsterdam, The Netherlands

This year a.o. Akram Khan/National Ballet of China, Zuhe Niao, Dinner stories with Zhang Xian, Li Ning, meetings and Cinedans

Julidans, the international dance festival in and around Leidseplein, is in its eighteenth edition and will be held from 1 to 12 July. For two whole weeks, the Leidseplein in Amsterdam will be the centre of international contemporary dance. After the focus on contemporary dance from China in 2004 and 2006, there will be renewed attention to Chinese dance in this edition.

The Chinese group Zuhe Niao brings its new production The Left Cheek to Holland. Contemporary dance, live music, Chinese martial arts and calligraphy come together in a dark, almost ritual fable about life in a collectivistic society. The title refers to the left-wing revolutionary excess during the Cultural Revolution in China. The veneration of everything leftish was carried to extremes: you were only allowed to use your left hand to greet someone, and to slap somebody's left cheek was an unimaginable offence. Only in the last few years did the Chinese authorities allow Xian to establish his collective Zuhe Niao, a collaboration between four dancers and a number of video and music artists.

Theater Bellevue

Saturday July 5th / Sunday July 6th / 9.00pm

(meeting after the performance with the group on July 5th)

Before the performance of The Left Cheek there is a possibility to hear the choreographer talk about his ideas during a Dinner Story. While enjoying a simple meal, Zhang Xian will talk about his work. Xian's major passion at the moment is how the performing arts can contribute to creating a civil society in China.

De Balie

Sunday July 6th  / 6.30pm / Dinner stories with Zhang Xian - in cooperation with the International Institute for Asian Studies

Julidans is a collaboration of Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam, Theater Bellevue, Melkweg, Paradiso, Henny Jurriëns Stichting, Vondelpark Openluchttheater and Cinedans.