The Silent Killer (De Stille Moordenaar) is a dance performance that exposes the hidden dangers of heat. As temperatures rise, our bodies slow down, irritability increases, and exhaustion sets in—but we keep going as if nothing is wrong. Heat stress is often invisible, yet it is a silent threat that quietly wears us down. 

This performance makes that threat tangible. Through movement, tension, and interaction, the dancers explore how heat affects behavior, focus, and social interactions. The audience doesn’t just watch; they feel the consequences of heat that often go unnoticed. 

When our bodies demand rest, the world keeps expecting the same output. In cultures familiar with intense heat, people instinctively adjust their pace, take breaks, or reduce activity. In the Netherlands, these instincts are rare, making heat stress an underestimated and growing problem. 

The choreography shows how physical fatigue, mental overload, and irritability intensify one another. Movements grow heavier, reactions sharper, balance fades. At the same time, it highlights that coping with heat is a shared responsibility, relying on awareness, small actions, and collective effort. 

The Silent Killer confronts the deadly side of the sun. What was once invisible becomes undeniable, urgent, and impossible to ignore. 

Lilian Kafa (2001) is a choreographer and dancer who has developed a unique and authentic style, drawing on influences from contemporary dance, hiphop, waacking, and Arabic folk dance. Born in Syria and living in the Netherlands since 2016, her background plays a central role in her artistic work. Her most recent piece, SIRA3, was presented at the Delft Fringe Festival in 2025. 

Lilian graduated in Water Management from Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences in 2025, where she wrote her thesis on heat stress and the importance of cool spaces in urban environments. During her research, she discovered that heat stress is a relatively new and underestimated issue in the Netherlands, posing significant challenges for mitigating its effects. 

These insights form the core of her artistic practice. With The Silent Killer (De Stille Moordenaar), Lilian aims to raise awareness about the dangers of heat stress. Using dance as a medium, she demonstrates how small actions—such as mindful cooling and collective effort—can help counter the impacts of extreme heat. Her work combines research, personal experience, and choreographic expression to make an urgent societal issue both tangible and felt. 

Direction and Choreography: Lilian Kafa 

Performers: Aviva Thijssen, Lily Kooter & Yadhira De León Matos 

Sound /composition: Demdike Stare, Emptyset, Leila Samir & Rutger Zuydervelt 

Coach: Junadry Leocaria 

Supported by: Municipality of The Hague, Municipality of Rotterdam & Korzo Get Moving