Khan combines western methods with the traditional South-Asian form of kathak.photo: Courtesy BDT
Eleven dancers from Hungary, Slovakia and Germany, inspired by the Austro-Hungarian coronation celebrations which formerly took place in Bratislava when the city was the kingdom's capital, will give a lively one-hour dance parade along the coronation route May 11, 12 and 13. Starting at 16:30 at Saint Martin's Cathedral on Rudnayovo námestie, the performance follows the route, marked with gold crown plaques, up to Michalská brána (Michael's Gate). Constantly changing costumes, and accompanied by music ranging from renaissance and baroque to contemporary, the dancers will transport visitors to the past.
"We are trying to create a new relationship between the performer and the spectator," said Miroslava Kovářová, the director of the performance called "New Ritual II", explaining that audience participation will be involved in the walk-along dance.
New Ritual is one of several festivities planned for the Bratislava in Movement 2001 festival (May 11-May 19). The festival will introduce 17 performances by dance troupes from Great Britain, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
The festival offers attractions for all. It begins with British-born dancer and choreographer of Bangladeshi origin Akram Khan, whose three performances combine western techniques with the South Asian traditional dance form kathak. Other group and individual performances are on offer, including "Ring", a show led by German choreographer Felix Ruckert, and a lecture on contemporary dance given by American critic Daborah Jowit.
"It's left up to the visitors' tastes whether they choose pure dance, untraditional performances, or take part in the spectator involvement performances," Kovářová said.
Theatre performances take place at Aréna Theatre on Viedenská cesta 10 in Petržalka, tel: 6224 6875 and Stoka Theatre on Pribinova 1 near the Old Bridge, tel: 5292 4463. The "Ring" performance begins at 19:00 on May 18 and 19 at the Union of Women of Slovakia on Štefánikova 4, and the lecture starts at 15:30 on May 17 at Zichy Palace on Ventúrska 9. Tickets cost 120 Sk per performance. For more information and the programme schedule visit www.megaloman.sk/abp.
By Zuzana Habšudová
