The HUMAN project on Lesbos directed by the Dutch choreographer Nanni Kloke and British choreographer Royston Maldoom was characterised by special conditions and goals and considerable challenges: ‘In that first week, different people turned up to almost every rehearsal. They were,’ says Nanni Kloke, ’mainly young men between the ages of 18 and 21. They came from Sudan or Syria, they had travelled a long, dangerous journey and they had seen many things that we can’t imagine. Some of them had taken on the responsibility for even younger family members during this ‘journey’. Brave, traumatised, fragile people who entered the studio on the first day with their heads bent, hidden in a hood, their eyes dull and a little scared.’ In addition, some of those who were enthusiastic during the first few days were ‘put on transport’ so that they had to leave the island …
It was therefore all the much more surprising for everybody to see how – thanks to the joy of music and moving together, the conversations and the shared meals – a ‘dance family’ formed which brought an impressive community dance performance on stage at the local theatre. The audience was enthusiastic, celebrating the performers with standing ovations and prolonged applause.
As head of the local partner organization ‘Stand by me’, Michael Aivaliotis, supported the project with great enthusiasm and practical drive.
THANKS!
- musica innova e.V., the project organiser of HUMAN, and the Art for Peace Foundation would like to say THANK YOU to all those who have supported this extraordinary project with their donations.
- We also thank the Aktion Pro Humanität Foundation for finding the local project partner ‘Stand by me’ and for its support.
