ITALIA DANZA: THE SECOND EDITION

From Sofia to Madrid, passing through Oslo and Cologne: this is the second phase of Italy Dance, on stage from April 27th to May 24th, 2024.

A cosmopolitan project, entrusted to the universal language of the body, promoted by the General Directorate for Public and Cultural Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and interpreted by CCN/Aterballetto thanks to its rich heritage of site-specific creations. A contemporary repertoire that includes MicroDances (short creations for confined spaces, created by Italian and international choreographers), as well as stage performances reimagined for the occasion, so they can be presented anywhere.

The aim of Italy Dance is simple: to enhance the value of the Italian Cultural Institutes, which represent cultural diplomacy par excellence around the world, by bringing some creations of the only National Choreographic Center of our country: CCN/Aterballetto. The MicroDances represent an unusual, refined but at the same time immediately enjoyable project. A suggestive journey, characterized by performances of a few minutes, adaptable to different places, sites, and contexts, allowing to explore unique spaces such as historic buildings, museums, rooms, and venues of the Italian Cultural Institutes. Inhabiting the places of cultural diplomacy through unique experiences: close encounters that place the spectator around and in contact with the dancer, generating emotions and aesthetic visions that are not possible in the traditional spaces of a theater.

After having lived in 2023 Prague, Brussels, Zagreb, Stockholm, and Dakar, the second phase of the project takes place in spring 2024 and includes four important stages: Sofia (27.04), Cologne (29.04), Oslo (3-4.05), and Madrid (23-24.05).

In 2025, it will continue to radiate towards new destinations and continents: the Americas and the East.

And it will see new important creations designed for this unusual occasion of promoting Italian culture worldwide, activating cooperative and diplomatic connections through dance, the most universal language in the world.

“With the establishment of the General Directorate for Public and Cultural Diplomacy, an intense promotion activity of contemporary dance abroad has begun, a universal language that undoubtedly represents one of the Italian excellences on which we have decided to invest within the framework of our cultural policy. The choice to bring MicroDances within the spaces of the Italian Cultural Institutes stems from the desire for shared co-design with Aterballetto and the other public actors involved in the Italia Danza project. Together, we have decided where to go, what to propose, and the strategy with which to bring the language of Italian dance to the world.”

Filippo La Rosa
Central Director for the promotion of Italian culture and language,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

“Presenting Aterballetto’s MicroDances in Sofia is an opportunity to bring to the attention of the capital’s audience an absolute excellence of Italian contemporary dance and Made in Italy. Bulgaria, on the other hand, is known worldwide for the very high level of its artists in the musical field and for its traditional dances. Therefore, a fertile ground will welcome the talented dancers of Aterballetto in Sofia, for whom the Municipality itself has made available a place symbolizing the history and culture of the country, the Largo. I am confident that the Italian artists will give the local audience an unforgettable artistic moment, further proof of the strong cultural ties that unite Italy and Bulgaria.

Maria Mazza
Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Sofia

“We are pleased to present in Cologne a project that, while celebrating the direct experience of performance by the audience, also offers the public a new perspective on the use of the Institute’s spaces, animating them with a presence that is not only aesthetic but also of strong emotional impact.”

Jolanda Lamberti
Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Cologne

“This year in Oslo, we aimed to unite two fields of contemporary Italian art: the sculptures by the Bolognese artist Davide Rivalta, which will be exhibited throughout the summer in the royal residence of Oscarshall, and the choreographies by Aterballetto, which will be performed during the inauguration of the exhibition in the enchanting garden of the palace, commissioned in the 1800s by Queen Josefine, Princess of Bologna.
We hope that this mix creates a unique opportunity to present to Queen Sonja of Norway and the Norwegian public a glimpse of contemporary Italian creativity and artistic savoir-faire.”

Stefano Nicoletti
Italian Ambassador in Oslo

“The performances by Aterballetto in Oslo promise to be a precious artistic moment within the inaugural days of Davide Rivalta’s exhibition. It’s a high-profile institutional initiative and a splendid framework to celebrate the cultural relations between Italy and Norway, following the State Visit of President Mattarella in 2023. The MicroDances selected for this occasion will accompany the audience in discovering the spaces of the Oscarshall Residence and Rivalta’s works, in a unique event showcasing contemporary Italian creativity.”

Raffaella Giampaola
Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Oslo

“We are thrilled to be part of the second edition of Italia Danza. The Madrid stop will be truly special: with the six MicroDances chosen together with Aterballetto and our Spanish partners, we will create an ideal bridge between the wonderful spaces of our Institute, a symbol of Italian culture in Spain, and the Gallery of the Royal Collections, custodian of the history and heritage of this extraordinary country. Once again, Italian and Spanish cultures converge, and once again, we are at the forefront with our cultural and creative excellences.”

Marialuisa Pappalardo
Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Madrid