Rediscovering Ancestral Movement: Jomecia Oosterwolde & Thomas Prestø
The Bookshop provides a stage for stories that connect, deepen and challenge. Inspired by our building's history as a meeting place for diverse communities, this intimate space invites reflection. During Rediscovering Ancestral Movement, we will explore the role of black identity in European dance heritage and the power of physicality as a carrier of culture and history.
Location The Bookshop
Run time 90 minutes
Genre Perspective
Language English
Programme 18 December
Rediscovering Ancestral Movement: showcase + aftertalk
In early European research articles, Black bodies and dance are often criminalised and labelled devilish by the Christian church. The panel discussion deals with the handling of colonial histories, knowledge systems and interpretations of African people and the diaspora. Traces of this past can still be felt in current European dance research and education.
On Wednesday 18 December, Thomas Prestø will present a keynote on African dance and cultural education, in which he will discuss the Talawa Technique he developed. This method aims to master a foundation of techniques applicable to African and Afro-diasporic dance styles, just as in the West ballet is often taught as a basic technique to create a functioning dance body.
Rediscovering Ancestral Movements is a project by The Need for Legacy (NL) in collaboration with Zinnema (BE) and Tabanka Dance Ensemble (NO). Besides working for inclusive theatre history, The Need for Legacy develops projects such as Rediscovering Ancestral Movements, through which they actively contribute to diversity and inclusivity in the Dutch performing arts. As an organisation, they recognise that histories not only shape the present, but also carry over into the future. Providing a platform for alternative narratives is essential, both to fill gaps in existing archives, to explore new forms of archiving - such as the body as a living carrier of heritage - and to bring to life legacies that would otherwise remain invisible.
Programme 20 December
Rediscovering Ancestral Movement: showcase + aftertalk
On 20 December, twenty dancers from the residency Rediscovering Ancestral Movements, accompanied by choreographer Thomas Prestø, will open the ancestral library of the Black body.
During this programme, the residency participants will present their immersion in ancestral dance practices to the audience with a showcase. Following this, they will discuss their experience and address questions such as: What will the dance world look like when non-Western education is centralised? How will our view of art change as we learn more about the philosophies of our ancestors? And what does this residency mean for future international collaborations
Rediscovering Ancestral Movements is a project by The Need for Legacy (NL) in collaboration with Zinnema (BE) and Tabanka Dance Ensemble (NO). Besides working for inclusive theatre history, The Need for Legacy develops projects such as Rediscovering Ancestral Movements, through which they actively contribute to diversity and inclusivity in the Dutch performing arts. As an organisation, they recognise that histories not only shape the present, but also carry over into the future. Providing a platform for alternative narratives is essential, both to fill gaps in existing archives, to explore new forms of archiving - such as the body as a living carrier of heritage - and to bring to life legacies that would otherwise remain invisible.
