On 16 March, the Flemish dance season in South Africa started with the performance "Rule of Three" by GRIP. Three Flemish dance companies will perform in the coming months in Johannesburg, Oudtshoorn and Cape Town. The Government of Flanders supports this dance season with a subsidy of 198,000 euros. General Representative Geraldine Reymenants attended the premiere.
The dance company GRIP kicked off the Flemish dance season with the performance "Rule of Three" by choreographer Jan Martens at The Market Theater in Johannesburg. Together with les ballets C de la B and Siamese Cie, they will dancing choreographies by Alain Platel (Requiem pour L.) and Koen Augustijnen (B) on different stages in South Africa from March till June.
The Flemish dance season received a grant of 189,000 euros from the government and local support from the Flemish General Representation in Pretoria. The cultural exchange between Flanders and South Africa has long focused on language and art disciplines such as literature and music. A logical consequence of the link between Dutch and Afrikaans. However, Afrikaans is only one of the eleven official languages in South Africa. By adding dance to the exchange, Flanders hopes to appeal to a wider audience. After all, dance - the language of the body, of the rhythm - is universal.
At the same time there is a clear interest in South Africa for Flemish contemporary dance. The dance companies and the choreographers based in Flanders and Brussels are among the best in the world. Dancers and choreographers from all continents come to Brussels for internships and courses. Also some of South Africa's best-known choreographers. These international influences lead to a unique, eclectic and constantly evolving style which appeals to audiences in South Africa.
General Representation of the Government of Flanders in Southern Africa