A highlight in the June events calendar of the
Embassy of Malta in Berlin was the performance “Diaspora” by the Contact Dance
Company. “Diaspora” focused on relationships and understanding within cultures
across the Mediterranean, as well as the notions of identity and migration in
the 21st century. It was performed
before a full audience at the TAK theatre (Theater
im Aufbauhaus) in Berlin-Kreuzberg, an independent theatre striving to build
a bridge between the free theatre scene and the more institutionalised theatre,
with a focus on transnational theatre, addressing issues and questions of
globalized societies in the 21st century.
The six dancers - Elise Ellul, Anna Armato, Gabin
Corredor, Simone Donati, Valentine Soucy and Moritz Zavan - under the artistic
direction and choreography of Francesca Abela Tranter, performed a wonderful,
complex and at the same time strong and tender piece, exploring and expressing stories
that reflect society, emotions and civilizational questions. Renzo Spiteri, the
internationally renowned and versatile musician, composer, multi-percussionist
and sound artist composed the accompanying music.
After the performance, the enthusiastic audience
had the opportunity to talk to the artists as well as with the Maltese Ambassador
Dr Albert Friggieri and the staff of the embassy in the theatre’s foyer.
Contact Dance Company was founded in 1998 by
Francesca Tranter and is currently a project-based company, creating work
investigating diasporic concepts, collaborating with local and international
artist, among them musicians, composers and international choreographers of
repute. Francesca Tranter, who has been teaching and choreographing since
almost 30 years, is respected as a pioneer of contemporary dance in Malta,
contributing to its continuous development, reaching higher levels.
The event was organised by the Embassy of Malta in Berlin and
made possible with the assistance of the Cultural Diplomacy Fund of the
Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion of Malta.