KoresponDance Festival Sparks Joy in Cities, Forests, and Ponds
The KoresponDance festival started as a traveling project across Europe and has now found a home in the Czech Republic. Over its twelve years, it has grown to become the largest festival in the country focused on site-specific contemporary movement art. The unique format, which can sometimes be challenging to understand, has been made accessible to a wide range of people, many of whom may be attending performance art for the first time thanks to KoresponDance.
This year’s KoresponDance will kick off in Jihlava on 5 June, followed by events in Žďár nad Sázavou on 23 June and from 11-13 July, culminating at the Horácké Gallery in Nové Město na Moravě on 11 September. The performances will mainly take place in public spaces and outdoors, effectively blurring the lines between art and daily life. It’s not solely about viewing a performance; it’s about personal engagement, interaction, and exploration. The festival provides an opportunity for attendees to embark on enriching walks and experiences, with a program designed to attract people of all ages, from the young to the elderly. This year’s lineup encompasses various artistic genres and is centered around the theme of ecology and sustainability, reflecting on our relationship with nature, the planet, and society. Attendees will enjoy bold, poetic, and playful performances from artists from all across Europe.
Artists will come from all over Europe
French choreographer and performer Camille Mutel will debut a ritual performance called And yet everyone kills what they love, which is inspired by the seasonal cycles and expresses profound respect for all forms of life. Audiences will also enjoy an intimate dialogue with nature crafted by the French collective Libertivore. Their poetic piece titled The Tree of Life illustrates the bond between the human body and nature. Hungarian performance artist David Somló will present a silent meditation in motion named The gentle balancing of twigs, which will include participation from the audience. The site-specific performance Climbing over Žďár/Chemnitz aims to unite Czech and French artists with the local community, emphasizing that a city can be a playground for art, dance, and dreams. A standout element of the site-specific format will be Wild Card—a two-hour performative installation at the ponds in Žďár, showcasing the imaginative works of six artistic groups from the Czech Republic and beyond, created as part of the Green Streets of Europe initiative.
Entertainment for teens and Generation Z
A significant portion of the program will also cater to teenagers and Generation Z. KoresponDance Battle 2025 will offer an energetic weekend filled with a dance competition, led by the renowned Czech dancer and artist Mr. Kriss, attracting hundreds of fans from both young and older demographics every year to break dance. An exciting new addition to the program will be the evening concerts, transforming the chateau terrace into a lively venue. For instance, on the first night of the festival in July, visitors can enjoy the Prague band Abbot’s Module, known for their unique blend of noise, psychedelic sounds, and minimalist dance techno beats. Audiences can also look forward to performances by Anami and the promising Czech artist Mari. Another new feature is the film installation, presented by the well-known artist and acrobat Stéphanie N’Duhirahe and her team. Attendees of the festival will recognize her site-specific performances, and now Stéphanie will showcase her visual and cinematic artwork.
Fairytale forest for children or a walk for the elderly
The festival is traditionally designed to engage individuals of all ages. Children can venture into a Fairy Tale Forest featuring a puppet show by Musashi Entertainment Company, while families will find enjoyment in Playful Microworlds. A traditional performance by Creative Camp will also be featured, which occurs a week prior to the festival, allowing children to engage in acrobatics, theater, and even animation. Parents can relish the festive atmosphere, knowing their children have several engaging activities workshops facilitated by festival artists. For seniors, there are opportunities to partake in a thoughtfully designed acrobatics workshop catered to their needs, or they can enjoy a guided walk through the forest and around the beautiful Žďár ponds.
