In a breathtaking performance, Moroccan dancer Taoufiq Izeddiou sets out to probe the boundaries between tradition and modernity.
Arabic language with German surtitles
Talk following the performance on Sat 15/10
As a child Taoufiq Izeddiou once took part in a Hmadcha ritual, a Sufi ceremony in which the attendees fall into a trance by dancing. For the dancer, choreographer, festival director and pioneer of contemporary Moroccan dance, this was the first encounter both with spirituality and the medium of dance. In his latest piece, the artist, who will be performing for the first time at steirischer herbst, explores the marks that this experience has left on his body and the way it has shaped his artistic work.
Like many of Taoufiq Izeddiou’s choreographies, “En Alerte” revolves around the boundaries between tradition and modernity. The title means “attentive” or “being alarmed” and the performer too is in a state of horror and attentiveness as he investigates this traditional form of art from a modern perspective. Accompanied by two musicians, Izeddiou examines spirituality with regard to its uncanny seductive power and as a motive for mindless violence. He translates this duality into sound and movement, throwing himself into battle with his strong body and clear voice, whirling around in circles.
And yet Taoufiq Izeddiou has little in common with the exotic dancing dervishes that might, for a moment, come to mind. Instead, “En Alerte”, highly reflective and superbly performed, searches for the hidden roots of a culture.
Choreography and dance Taoufiq Izeddiou
Music Mathieu Gaborit aka Ayato, M’Aalem Stitou
Light design Marc Lhommel
Sound design Eric Desjeux
Costumes Nourredine Amir
Video Joachim Rümke
Production Nedjma Hadj Benchelabi
Produced by Anania Danses / Taoufiq Izeddiou
Co-produced by steirischer herbst, Kunstenfestivaldesarts, Charleroi Danses, Festival de Marseille, Arab Fund for Arts and Culture AFAC
With support by Noorderzon Festival Groningen, Alkantara, Göteborgs Dans & Teater Festival, Centre Chorégraphique National de Franche-Comté à Belfort, Klap/Maison pour la danse, Bois de l’Aune/Pôle artistique et culturel de la Communauté du Pays d’Aix, Centre Chorégraphique National d’Orléans, Tanzquartier Wien, Institut français
Co-presented by NXTSTP, supported by the European Union's culture programme
Thanks to Délégation Wallonie-Bruxelles à Rabat
steirischer herbst
Head of Project Management Dominik Jutz
Project Management Theresa Adamski
Technical Direction Karl Masten
Grazer Spielstätten
Technical Direction Kurt Schulz
Taoufiq Izeddiou / Anania Danses (MA)
Taoufiq Izeddiou, born in Marrakesh/Morocco in 1975, works as a choreographer, dancer, festival director and dance teacher. After studying Architecture, Izeddiou found his way by way of boxing and acting to contemporary dance, that he got to know at the Institut Français de Marrakech and through choreographers such as Mathilde Monnier and Bernardo Montet. He presented his debut choreography “170 huit pas avec les artistes“ in 2000. Following the success of the group piece “Fina Kenti“ (2003) Izeddiou launched the first Moroccan contemporary dance company with Anania Danses; two years later he founded On Marche, the country’s first dance festival, of which he is Director. Izeddiou also worked as a dance teacher from 2003 to 2005 and from 2012 to 2015. His pieces, that negotiate social, political and spiritual themes, have been performed not only in Africa, but also in Europe, the Middle East and America. Taoufiq Izeddiou, who ranks among the most important choreographers of the African continent, is staging his latest work “En Alerte“ at steirischer herbst.
