The dance performance The Forest, inspired by “Forest Song” by Lesya Ukrainka, won the Ovation Award at the leading cultural festival of South Africa — the National Arts Festival. This was the first time Ukrainian culture was presented at this event. About this reported Ukrainian Institute.
The Forest project was created by dancers from South Africa — Carren Johannisen, Abigail Johnson, Tyla Kleyn and Andre Maarman from the Contemporary Dance Laboratory theater, together with choreographer Kateryna Alyoshina. The Ovation Award is presented for the most talented productions in the Fringe section. The play The Forest was shown at the festival four times. The production depicts the interaction of the natural world and mythological creatures with the human world.
“This is an unusual modern dance performance, because the viewer is not just a spectator, but also a participant. The space turns into a life dialogue supported by digital technologies. The viewer will be able to watch the performance in two dimensions: horizontally (of course) and in the form of a video projection from above.” – it is said in the message of the institute.
The plot combines the sounds of the Ukrainian pipe with beatbox rhythms, the costumes are decorated with ornaments inspired by embroidery, and the dance numbers are performed in the style of the South African amapiano. The play premiered in 2021 in Gauteng province and was dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the birth of Lesya Ukrainka.
The National Arts Festival, which has been held since 1974 in the city of Mahanda (Eastern Cape province), gathers about 200,000 spectators every year and covers all genres of art — from theater and music to visual arts and stand-up.
