“Voices” – A community engagement project with the Friendship Clubs of the Municipality of Kalamata
For the first time, the Kalamata International Dance Festival is commissioning the creation of a performance with community participation. “Community dance”, a well-established international practice, brings people of all ages and backgrounds into contact with dance as an art form, allowing them to express themselves creatively, connect with one another, and engage in a choreographic process that is both meaningful and relevant to their lives. This approach fosters inclusivity, participation, and empowerment, while also strengthening community bonds.
As part of this initiative, the Kalamata International Dance Center has invited acclaimed choreographer Panagiota Kallimani, known for her extensive research in dance and the performing arts, to collaborate with the Friendship Clubs of the Municipality of Kalamata. Through a series of workshops held throughout the year, they will co-create an artistic performance titled “Voices”, which will be presented within the framework of the 31st Kalamata International Dance Festival. This unique creative experience highlights the power of tradition and personal memory. Drawing inspiration from the stories and recollections of its participants, the project experiments with contemporary artistic practices, focusing on the interplay between memory, song, movement, and music. “Voices” creates immersive experiences that tap into the deep roots of human expression. The participatory performance “Voices” was first introduced at the 2022 “Open Sails” Festival.
