“Whispering the Sun” is multidisciplinary project that combines ethnic traditions, contemporary dance, sound design, visual digital technology and interactive elements. The project is a result of an artistic laboratory of the ethnomusicologist Irena Kotvitskaya and dancers. Irena shared with the team the results of her expeditions in the regions of Belarus in 1999–2010.
Through researching the intangible cultural heritage of Belarus and by identifying cultural codes, the artists integrated traditions of proto-Belarusians into contemporary art. Such ritual codes as magic of similarity, sacred geometry, sacred exchange and laughter-code inspired the team.
During the performance the audience could hear the real sound of the Sun. Laugh as an energy turns into a piece of music to destroy the old unnecessary connections and welcome a new life. The changing video-image of the Sun reflects the dancer’s actions throughout the performance.
In this work the artists address the basic values understandable for everyone – connection to the nature, respect to the roots, gratitude to the surrounding world, – which made the project universally engaging.
Contemporary music, meeting the women’s-singing tradition, leads spectators into the feeling of existence in the past and presence at the same time. Interactive elements in the performance offer the audience to be not a witness but a participant of the ritual. Uniting through a physical, emotional and spiritual experience people contribute to harmonization of the current situation in the World.
choreography: Inna Aslamova and dancers
dramaturgy: Joanna Leśnierowska
ethnomusicologist: Irena Katvitskaya
singer: Irena Katvitskaya / Irina Kotko
dance: Yauheniya Nikalaichuk, Volha Skvartsova, Beata Mysiak, Inna Aslamova, Olesya Seraya / Agnieszka Sikorska
light: Siamion Davydzenka
sound and multimedia: Uladzimir Maliukou
costumes: Aliaksandra Anisim
production manager: Maria Fomenko
co-production: Plastforma / Lublin Dance Theater / Center for Culture in Lublin
premiere: 02.03.2024, Center for Culture in Lublin
residency support: Most+, 4culture, Center for Culture in Lublin