This year the Nederlandse Dansdagen will be in Maastricht for the 25th time. Especially for this special anniversary, the ‘Feast of Dutch Dance’ will be celebrated extra large. In theatres, at special locations in the city and from online stages, but also for the first time from the ‘Danstent’ on the Vrijthof – an interactive stage in the heart of the city. Under the motto Dance with me, more than 100 activities bring together the public, makers, companies, amateurs and professionals to celebrate dance in all forms. From classical ballet to urban, from renowned companies to the next generation of choreographers, from theater to film and events for a young audience – this year you will experience dance like never before.

The Dutch Dance Days 25 years: a new experience
Starting as a single evening in 1997, the Nederlandse Dansdagen has grown into an explosion of inspiring creativity surrounding Dutch dance. Ronald Wintjens, director of the festival: “After a pandemic of more than two years, we are looking forward to fully experiencing this festival together again. More than ever, we want to let the public come into contact with this special art form, both literally and figuratively.”

A unique experience will be created especially for this edition in the form of the Danstent on the Vrijthof, where the public is invited to experience dance in new ways. The program opens Friday, September 30 at 5:00 PM with the Elemental Exchange interactive event by Gil Gomes Leal and his Amenti Theater Company. The Danstent will show performances continuously until Sunday 2 October and also offer the opportunity to dance yourself through workshops, party evenings and a special dance battle organized by Open Your Mind and The Notorious IBE.

Dutch Dance Days Gala
The famous Dutch Dance Days Gala will then take place on Friday evening, where the country’s most important dance prizes will be awarded. The new Innovation Prize Nederlandse Dansdagen Maastricht gives an impulse to the emerging talent of Dutch dance and the prestigious Zwanen celebrates groundbreaking top achievements. This festive evening is framed with special performances by former prize winners, leading makers and surprising guests.

Masters of Dutch dance
As every year, the Nederlandse Dansdagen presents a diverse program of well-known pieces as well as new creations. From the major dance companies to intimate productions by makers such as Honey Eavis and Dalton Jansen and iconic pieces such as the 1985 ballet Föld by Krisztina de Châtel – the classic from the rich oeuvre of the Dutch-Hungarian choreographer that will be presented for the last time during the festival. see will be.

Not only the Dansdagen celebrate an anniversary. This year, the Dutch dance field is dominated by a number of special jubilees, including choreographers such as Hans van Manen, Jiří Kylián and Ed Wubbe. During Masterpieces on Saturday evening 1 October, Dutch National Ballet, Introdans, Scapino Ballet Rotterdam and Nederlands Dans Theater will pay tribute to these ‘Masters of Dutch dance’. Masterpieces is therefore the only moment when Dutch top companies can be admired together on one stage. In addition to offline programs, there is also plenty to experience online. From dance films, exclusive streamings of, among others, dance talents Imre and Marne van Opstal to premieres of virtual residencies. To provide insight into the rich online and offline dance offerings, reporter and dance ambassador Redouan Ait Chitt takes the public on a daily online tour of the various parts and the festival feeling in the city in ‘Op Pad met Redo’.

Source : NDT website