The dance piece Julia, coming to the Vaasa City Theatre’s Julia stage, is a reflection on the land beneath our feet. It can be a starting point for movement or a place to stop.
On Saturday, the Vaasa City Theatre will premiere *Maa*, a dance performance by four professional dancers together with five young immigrants.
The young people had no previous experience of performing before they started rehearsing the piece.
– The first encounter was immediately joyful. I was overwhelmed by the openness and courage with which the young people joined in. A palpable sensitivity has been present from the very beginning,” says Brotherus.
In the beginning, it took time for the work group to group together and get to know each other. Brotherus wanted trust to be found through bodily experience.
– You can lie with words, but not with your body.
Courage was rewarded
Maa is a joint production with the regional dance center of Ostrobothnia, the library and cultural services of the city of Vaasa and the civic college Alma.
At first, going along with the dance piece was doubtful, but in the end the courage was rewarded.
– I thought that you have to try new things and being on stage is something that I had not experienced before. Dancing, learning new moves and getting to know people has been a wonderful experience, Kapinga reflects.
During the internship, Kapinga has reflected on her relationship with Finland and Finnish culture. He values \u200b\u200bthe safety of his new homeland.
Professionals involved
It is important for a professional to have been in front of a work of art together with young people who do not have a dance background.
– They are incredibly skilled at moving and brave to do partner and contact work quickly. This has been a safe community to practice new things. At first we leaned on each other and sought contact through that. Of course, care has been taken to do nice, inspiring and interesting things, Väätäinen describes the beginning of the exercises.
– I was nervous at first, but now it’s good. It doesn’t matter where you come from, the most important thing is that we are all together, Isazadeh sums up.