The piece 'Badke(remix)', a co-production by laGeste and Stereo48, will arrive at the Teatre Principal on May 26 at 7:30 PM. This work, which closes the XV edition of the festival, offers a festive and necessary vision of the current Palestinian reality, transforming the stage into a collective celebration in the face of adversity.
The show is a reinterpretation of dabke, the Palestinian folk dance. Originally created with the collaboration of choreographer Alain Platel, this new 'remix' version reclaims Palestinian artistic authorship. Under the direction of Amir Sabra and Ata Khatab, the work becomes a collective cry of vitality.
The inclusion of this piece in the program responds to this edition's theme, which addresses territorial destruction and forced migrations. 'Badke(remix)' symbolizes rootedness, where the dancers' bodies become the last sovereign territory. The stomping of the dabke against the ground is a reaffirmation of presence in a land that is being erased.
On stage, ten performers with training in contemporary dance, hip-hop, and capoeira break with academic rigidity. 'Badke(remix)' is an explosion of collective joy that stands out in Western contemporary dance, often focused on individuality. Here, the group is the body, and dance is an affirmation of belonging.
“"Dance here is not just art; it is an act of political and emotional resistance. It is the air that enters through the cracks of a poorly insulated house, reminding us that, despite everything, the impulse of life prevails."
Through this "contemporary version of tradition," the piece raises urgent questions about how to challenge a folk dance without alienating the people. Beneath the festive surface, cracks of a reality marked by occupation, social control, and internal tensions filter through.
