UNESCO-backed dance festival hits Seoul

By Lee Hyo-won

The 14th Seoul International Dance Festival (SIDance), presented by the local section of the International Dance Council CID-UNESCO, kicked off last week for an 18-day run until Oct. 16.

One of the largest and most reputable genre showcases here, the event invites 52 dance companies from Korea and 16 other countries from around the world to present 51 works.

In addition to Korea and neighboring Asian countries China and Japan, as well as other regularly invited countries such as the United States and Germany, Italy and France, this year’s installment also brings troupes from Lebanon, Sri Lanka and Ghana.

“Casa Azul — Inspired by Frida Kahlo,” a piece celebrating the famous life and art of the Mexican painter by Germany’s Donlon Dance Company, opened the annual event last Thursday at Sogang University’s Mary Hall. The past weekend saw another troupe from Germany, Tanzcompagnie Oldenburg, perform for local dance fans. “No. 8,” staged at Seoul Arts Center, Sunday, explored the meaning of the number throughout history from why the Hindu deity Shiva had eight arms to the 8th Day of Creation in Christianity.

The same day saw the first of the three cross-border collaborative projects for the occasion, by Korean choreographer Park Ho-bin and his Indian counterpart Jayachandran Palazhy. “Traces” transfused Buddhism-inspired philosophical ideas with multimedia sounds and dance by Korea’s CcadoO and India’s Attakkalari.

There are no performances Monday but the festivities continue Tuesday with “Korean Dances Meet World Music.” Held for the 14th time, this program has previously seen Korean movements paired with Indian, Brazilian, East European and Caribbean music. This year, three local works — “Pot Luck,” “Green Eye” and “Blessing” — will feature the unique sensibility of Irish melodies.

Not to be missed in the remaining lineup includes diverse acts from hip-hop to more cross-border collaborations (Korea and Japan on Oct. 11 and Korea, Finland, Turkey and the United States on Oct. 13) and a special showcase of Eastern European works. The latter, to be held on Thursday and Friday at Seoul Arts Center, will feature contemporary works by 420 People from the Czech Republic, Silesian Dance Theatre from Poland and the Serial Paradise Company from Romania.

Supplemental to performances, SIDance presents academic and community outreach programs. The 4th Seoul Performing Arts Critics Forum (SPAC) will be held from Tuesday through Oct. 9. This year’s session invites renowned journalists, critics, specialists and artists to discuss the realm of community dance. Guest speakers include staff members of The Times, Le Monde, Asia Dance Channel and Ha’aretz, among others.

“Dream a Motion” on Oct. 9 at Hoam Art Hall will be the culmination of the CID-UNESCO Seoul Section’s youth art development project “Imagination School.” The community dance program invited boys and girls from 10 institutions to take part in three-to-four-month-long workshops to work on a production.

Performances and sideline events will be held at Sogang University’s Mary Hall, Seoul Arts Center’s Jayu Theater and Hoam Art Hall, as well as cafes, parks, squares and other venues around the city. Visit www.sidance.org for more information.