JULIDANS AT THE PARK

"Föld (Hungarian for 'earth') is a true classic from the rich oeuvre of the Dutch-Hungarian choreographer Krisztina de Châtel. Made in 1985 for the Holland Festival and then revived several times, in theatres, a rose greenhouse [...] and in the Vondelpark." Annette Embrechts, de Volkskrant

Uncontrollable forest fires, a rising sea level and extreme drought; the effects of the human destruction of nature and the planet, that the round earth wall in Föld stands for, are taking on alarming proportions. We see the consequences and make them tangible here. Not virtually, not with the glass of a screen in between. No, analogue, with bare hands, skin and hair. Föld is an ode to physical strength, to overcoming obstacles. But also a confrontation with exhaustion, an endless fight.
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Föld was commissioned by the Holland Festival in 1985. Declared by the press at the time to be the highlight of the festival, Föld has since grown to become one of the benchmarks of Dutch modern dance. The choreography is also celebrated outside the Netherlands, with performances in Canada, Croatia, Hungary and the Centre Pompidou in Paris, among other countries.

With this reprise, the choreographer is once again challenged to examine Föld in the context of current themes. As visual artist Conrad van de Ven, responsible for the idea of the earthen wall, puts it:

"The starting point in the 1980s was the struggle, the energy and the perseverance, with the earthen wall as the object to be destroyed. (...) Now, in this new era, nature itself is the main theme. Subject to gruesome change."

Première 24 juni 1985, Amstelkerk, Amsterdam
Concept scenery Conrad van de Ven
Choreography Krisztina de Chatel
Light Bernie van Velzen
Music Philip Glass: Another look at harmony - Part IV
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Dancers Björn Bakker, Alkis Barbas, Gijs Hanegraaf, Ivan Montis, Sebastian Pickering Pederson, Luigi Imperato
Interns Dan Radalescu