Dances from around the world to grace Seoul nights

Modern dances of France and Spain will grace Seoul nights this fall.

The 19th Seoul International Dance Festival will take place at the Seoul Arts Center, CJ Towol Theater, Sogang University Mary Hall, and Shindorim D-Cube City in the Korean capital from Sept. 24 to Oct. 15.

The annual dance festival Si Dance is Korea’s largest one, and since 1998, it has been introducing world-class modern dances from overseas, and dance works that are hard to watch in Seoul, including those from Asia and Africa. In this year’s event, 39 pieces of dance work from 17 countries including South Korea, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Bolivia and Madagascar will be performed onstage.

Notably, the festival will feature "France Focus" and "Spain Special." “The organization has selected works by symbolic figures in modern dance of France, and highly unique dances by private organizations in Spain,” Si Dance's art director Lee Jong-ho said.

‘France Focus’ will present works by big-name choreographers including Angelin Preljocaj and Carolyn Carlson, who represent “Nouvelle danse,” a new wave in French modern dance from the 1980s. Preljocaj will showcase the full performance of “Annunciation,” and two-dancer performance “Garden,” the winner in the choreography category at the “Benois de la Danse.” Carlson will present “Short Stories” comprising three solo-dance works in person.

　

"Spain Special," which is comprised of organizations from five regions in Spain, will showcase Larumbe Danza’s "Ballenas, Historias de Gigantes," which incorporates 3-D animation and modern dances. This performance was awarded the grand prix at the European children’s performing art festival last year.

Visitors can also meet with domestic modern dance groups including Ahn Sung-soo Pickup Group, Jeon Mi-sook Dance Troupe, Kim Yoon-soo Dance Troupe, and LeeK Dance, and works by choreographers such as Cho Young-soon and Lee Eun-young.

김동욱 기자creating@donga.com