origins of the dance festival
The idea grew a few years ago after realising my dream to become a professional ballet dancer – to organise a dance festival in my home town where everything started for me. Until now it was impossible to organise a project of this scale in Lebbeke because of a lack of appropriate infrastructure.
The cultural centre
As soon as I heard about the creation of a cultural centre in Lebbeke, I considered the possibility it could offer to the development of my project and I followed it’s construction with the highest interest. Its opening to the public filled my expectations, in fact, its capacity and its structure appeared to be suitable for the development of a dance performance. I immediately contacted the officials of the CC for more information. I used the following weeks to research and to consider the feasibility of my project, then I presented my concept to the Cultural Council who accepted it.
From dream to reality
I then discussed my project with my colleagues in the Theater Chemnitz and with my former colleagues from the Royal Ballet of Flanders, asking them if they were interested in participating. I received enthusiastic responses, and having found my dancers, I started to develop my ideas…
Working in Germany I only had my vacation time, the month of August, to organize things in person. From September on, I would have to manage the developments of the festival via the internet or phone, so I had to deliver fast and efficient work. I proceeded as following: First of all, I went to the “Kunstenloket” (an organization that advises artists) who told me that for this kind of project I had to create a “vzw” (a non-profit organization). I started looking for members and founded “vzw Interdans”, and of course, I had to find funding. So I searched for sponsors and after finding some it was already time for me to go back to work in Chemnitz.
I left Lebbeke with good hope, and knowing that things were going in the right direction. I entrusted the members of my “vzw”, who would from now on have the responsibility of the tasks that needed to be delt with in my absence.
So far, my representatives at Lebbeke and myself, in Germany, have been in daily contact through telephone and Internet.
Here is what we have already been able to accomplish and work on, through long distance communication:
- Photo shoot
- Finding a printing company (advertising)
- Collaboration with the dance school in Lebbeke
- Chorographic work with the dancers
- Costumes
- Collaboration with the CC de Biekorf
