Le Sacre du Printemps

Spring is approaching. Nature awakens from its winter sleep. People gather and perform a sacrificial ritual in honour of the earth. In the end, a chosen one dances herself to death. That – in a nutshell – is the plot of Le Sacre du Printemps: an icon in the history of music and dance. Composer Igor Stravinsky and choreographer Vaslav Nijinsky premiered this groundbreaking piece at the beginning of the twentieth century. Their ode and offering to the earth has inspired various artists since then.   

Including choreographer Michiel Vandevelde. He builds a bridge between the past and the future. The first part of the performance floats on Stravinsky's music. Images appear out of the darkness that alternately refer to celebration, sacrifice, vulnerability, despair, and joy. A dream world depicts how people connect with their environment, throughout time. In the second part only bodies remain while Fallon Mayanja's electronic music fills the space. In an intimate choreography, the performers explore each other's limits, desires, and the stories that are contained in their bodies.  

Dancers Brandy Butler and David Attenberger's performative qualities form the starting point of the performance. Together they forge a visual trip, in which textile artist Elen Braga and video artist Juan Ferrari make a special contribution.

• Michiel Vandevelde started his dance career as a youngster at fABULEUS, and then studied at P.A.R.T.S. He is a choreographer, curator, programmer, writer, and opinion maker. His political and artistic activism is a common thread in everything he does. Michiel was artistic director of Bâtard, a festival that gives young international artists a platform in Brussels and was part of the artistic team at Extra City Kunsthal in Antwerp. From 2017 to 2021 he was an artist-in-residence at Kaaitheater. He works as a programmer of performing arts at DE SINGEL in Antwerp and is a creative ambassador for the city of Leuven.