Meeting grounds was a gathering about contemporary performing arts, thinking in/out Africa. Mercat de les Flors casa de la dansa and Graner creation center for dance and live arts, in the context of Grec festival of Barcelona, proposed an Atelier with discussions, panels and practices. An hybrid format with face-to-face practices and an online programme with panels and a writing workshop. The atelier was in collaboration with and the participation of curators, artists, journalists such as Aida Colmenero, Qudus Onikeku, Nelisiwe Xaba, Panaibra Gabriel, Claudia Brufau, Antonio Tavares among others.

This atelier offered a meeting with African artists in order to get to know and share the practices, thinking and themes surrounding creation on the contemporary African performing arts scene today. It was aimed at professionals from the field of dance, dancers, choreographers, journalists, programmers, and other interested persons.

Biographies of the participants can be accessed here.

EDN Atelier was covered by two different reports. 

Alexandra Tindall wrote both detailed report and summary based on the video documentation of the Atelier.

Christian Guerematchi, ICK Amsterdam Associated Artist wrote a report as a participant of the Atelier.

Monday, 5 July 2021 (all CEST)

10.00-13.00 Body practice 1 / @ The Graner
Qudus Onikeku. FACE TO FACE

12.00-13.00 Conference / online
By Raw Material with Fatima Bintou Rassoul Sy 

13.30-15.00 Panel 1. / online
Sustainability, visibility, adaptability
Panel presented by Raw Material (Dulcie Abrahams Altass) 

With Dulcie Abrahams Altass, Bruno Leitao, Gabriel Panaibra, Fattou Cissé, Nadia Beugré and Salim M’ze Hamadi and Roberto Casarotto

Moderator Bàrbara Raubert

15.30-17.00 Panel 2. / online  
Gathering, community, animism 
Panel presented by Qudus Onikeku 

With Qudus Onikeku, Aïda Colmenero Dïaz, Nelisiwe Xaba, Christian Etongo, Albert Ibokwe Khoza and Elisabetta Bisaro

Moderator Clàudia Brufau

Tuesday, 6 July 2021 (all CEST)

10.00-13.00 Body practice 2 / @ The Graner
Nelisiwe Xaba. FACE TO FACE

10:30-13.00 Writing and thinking workshop / online

13.30-15.00 Panel 3 / online
Trauma, memory, recovery, identity 
Panel presented by Trixie Munyama

With Trixie Munyama, Ana Pi, António Tavares, Moya Michael and Nashilongweshipwe Mushaandja

Moderator Bàrbara Raubert

10 places were available, to be distributed on a first-come-first-served basis. 

Submission deadline was 22 June 2021.

For any inquiries, please be in touch with Engagement & Production Manager Eva Broberg.