Istanbul, October 19 (Hibya) – The Brighton, UK-based Ceyda Tanc Dance and the Ekin Dance Troupe of Ege University Conservatory of Turkish Folk Dances Department will stage a contemporary ethnic dance performance titled “Birlik” on 30 October as part of Ege University’s “Republic and Atatürk Days” events.
Ege University State Turkish Music Conservatory, Department of Turkish Folk Dances will also organise a masterclass on “Ethnic Elements in Contemporary Dance” under the coordination of Prof. Dr. M. Öcal Özbilgin and with the guest participation of Ceyda Tanc on 31 October.
On 23-24 February, Ceyda Tanc Dance Ensemble staged the contemporary dance show “KIZLAR” for the first time in Turkey, also at Ege University. Bringing together Turkish folk dance (Ege University) and UK contemporary dance (Ceyda Tanc Dance), the project was a unique cross-cultural collaboration highlighting global gender inequalities by challenging traditional gender representation in dance.
This innovative approach to studying Turkish folk dance critically examines traditional gender roles and addresses contemporary and cultural issues related to dance and gender.
Ceyda Tanc Dance Ensemble develops new ways of reinterpreting cultural dance that resonate with contemporary audiences. Combining contemporary dance with Turkish folk dance and its global influences will promote the intersection of cultures and build bridges between Eastern and Western dance forms.
Turkish dance students and British dancers will share their choreographic experiences to create a new collaborative performance work emphasising the challenges displaced women face. Traditional Turkish folk dances refer to refugees’ migration stories spanning more than a century; Tanc’s Contemporary dance work reflects the ongoing issue of displacement today and is inspired by the emotional resilience of women refugees.