Serge Aimé Coulibaly - Faso Danse Théâtre

C la vie

Wakatt-Serge_Aime_Coulibaly@Lydi

BURKINA FASO / BELGIUM

The choreographer Serge Aimé Coulibaly sees dance as political and social action. Born and raised in Burkina Faso, West Africa, he is well aware of social inequalities and poverty; his choreographies are born out of contestation, desire for rebellion, and hope.

In his new work, he employs the rich tradition of African culture to create a modern-day rite of initiation and invites us to take part in the dismantling of the old world. In this ritual, there are no trials for the hero to overcome, but a single challenge: how to coexist with others. Seven dancers, a singer, and a musician explore alternative ways of living together that bridge the gap between cultures. In a world swirling towards self-destruction, the only antidote is the joy of coexistence.

Coulibaly has been working worldwide since 2001. Although deeply influenced by his collaboration with Alain Platel, as the choreographer admits, his homeland remains his chief source of inspiration. It is there where he founded Faso Dance Théâtre in 2002. It is also there where he engages in community outreach projects, such as the flagship initiative Ankata, an interdisciplinary laboratory of research and creation in the performing arts founded by Coulibaly in 2014 in his hometown Bobo-Dioulasso.

12 June

Post-show talk with the artists

Coordinated by Paraskevi Tektonidou, Artistic Advisor for Dance, AEF