Programme
Dates
Mon 29 May | 19.30 - 20.30
Location
Korzo Zaal
Artist
Roshanak Morrowatian
Ticket price
€ 0 - € 18
A performance about the power of connection, inspired by a centuries-old Persian tradition
After a series of impressive solos, Roshanak Morrowatian now presents the premiere of her first group production during the CaDance Festival. House of Strength is a spiritual, physical, and musical performance where the versatility of man is celebrated. The choreography transforms an ancient ritual, originally from Persia, into contemporary inclusive dance that celebrates the power of the collective.
Traditionally, the Varzesh-e bastani (old or traditional sport) or Varzesh-e Pahlevani (heroes sport) in Iran is performed in an arena in the Zurkaneh, which literally means ‘House of Strength’. The aim of the ritual is to become a better person by a combination of power training, spirituality, poetry, and music. It is performed exclusively by men in public.
In House of Strength, five female, male and queer performers take over. They transform a gymnastically one-sided tradition into a compelling physical expression of inclusive contemporary dance. In harmony, the dancers encourage each other in who they are and also celebrate the power of the collective.
On May 29th there will be an artist talk led by Vincent Wijlhuizen.
"‘..we often forget that tradition, too, is always being made and remade. Tradition is fluid, it is always being constituted. Tradition is about change.’"
— Madan Sarup, 'Identity, culture and the postmodern world'
The desire for a more harmonious society runs as a fil rouge through the work of Roshanak Morrowatian (Iran, 1989) and her dance company Rover. Unnoticed details, invisible people, and forgotten stories are given leading roles in her choreographies. Interdisciplinary performances where subjects such as identity, boundaries, and belonging are central. As an artist, she looks for the physical roots of memories and redefines traditions and rituals.
For the performance Polished, she received the 2020 BNG Dance Prize together with Mami Izumi; she also was included in the DansClick 22 tour. In 2020, Morrowatian was awarded the Prize of the Nederlands Dansdagen, the national encouragement prize for talented, promising creatives. From 2023 she is artist in residence at ICK Dans Amsterdam/Artist Space and Parkstad Limburg Theaters and part of the Nieuwe Makers Program of the Fonds Podiumkunsten. In this two-year traject she is being supported by ICK, Korzo, VIA ZUID, Parkstad Limburg Theaters and DOX.
Roshanak Morrowatian is a choreographer, dancer and actress. After receiving her BA in dance and an MA in dance composition at the Folkwang University of the Arts in Germany she appeared in works by artists such as Marina Abramović, Pina Bausch, Isabelle Beernaert, Alexis Blake, and Joost Vrouwenraets.
Find more information on Roshanak Morrowatian and her work on her website: https://www.rover.company/
| Concept & choreography | Roshanak Morrowatian icw dancers |
| Performers | Sjaan Flikweert, Djahan Manuela Mazhari Perez, Reza Mirabi, Deion Simon, Vainergill Thurnim |
| Dramaturgy | Nicole Geertruida |
| Music | Rutger Zuydervelt |
| Set | Davy van Gerven |
| Costumes | Antoine Peters |
| Light Design | Loes Schakenbos |
| Artistic coach | Suzy Blok |
| Photography and art direction | Afagh Morrowatian |
| Production | Stichting Rover |
| Coproduction | Korzo, ICK Dans Amsterdam/Artist Space, VIA ZUID, Parkstad Limburg Theaters |
| Grants | Provincie Limburg, Fonds Podiumkunsten, Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie |
| Acquisition | CASC |
| Special thanks to | DOX |
