Choreographer Faizah Grootens, born and raised in Curaçao, moved to the Netherlands when she was 18 to study dance. During her studies and during performances, she misses her own culture in the dance forms. Also because Caribbean stories and bodies are part of the Dutch-Caribbean history section. Under the motto
“If you miss it, create it yourself”
Grootens decided to create a contemporary dance language based on her Caribbean background. For Corpus Criolla she chose the traditional Afro-Caribbean Tambú and the Curaçao Waltz. Two extremes in dance and historical experience, both with political connotations. Of Corpus Criolla Grootens and the dancers delve deeply into the embodiment and stereotyping that these dance forms entail. And she provides great food for thought about other current issues such as identity, shame culture, conventions & traditions and colonial influences.
“I believe all dance styles should be experienced and supported equally.”
said Grootens in a discussion with our own Vincent Wijlhuizen during Theaterfestival Boulevard. The audience reacted loudly in approval. Shortly before, there was a ban on bubbling during the Summer Carnival in Rotterdam…
When Vincent asked what Grootens wants to achieve with the performance, she replied that she hopes that there will be more recognition, recognition and understanding in the Netherlands for these dance styles and what they stand for. That people who do not know about the history or about the Curaçao Waltz and Tambú get information about it. That other movement styles and bodies are normalized on stage. And she wants to inspire people to investigate where they come from. Because knowing where your roots are can provide a solid foundation.
The performance can be seen during Kikker Kiest What You See Festival on September 21.
Buy your ticket via Theater Kikker
