Rituals

World Premiere, May 10, 2025
Mukam Palace, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

The performance RITUALS draws inspiration from movements found in traditional dances from around the world and brings them into dialogue with contemporary dance and an interactive digital system on stage.
Conceived as an artistic dialogue between Europe and Turkmenistan, this project pays vibrant tribute to the Turkmen Kushdepdi, inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and proposes a ritual for the 21st century.
In the first part, a traditional Kushdepdi is performed by the Akjayar Folk Ensemble from the Balkan region.

Organised by
Danse Company, the French Institute in Turkmenistan, the Mukam Palace of the Turkmen National Cultural Center
In partnership with The Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan, the Delegation of the European Union to Turkmenistan, the French Embassy and the Italian Embassy in Ashgabat, the Goethe-Institut in Kazakhstan
With support from
EUNIC “European Spaces of Culture”, the French-German Cultural Fund and the French Institute in Paris

More information

RITUALS, an original production mixing traditional Kushdepdi dance and contemporary dance, for a 8 dancers of the two National Companies. Recipient of 2025 EUNIC Call for Proposals, European National Institutes of Culture https://www.eunicglobal.eu/

Creation of a choreographic work to imagine a contemporary 21st-century folk dance, for both men and women, inspired by the themes and movements of the Turkmen dance Kushdepdi.

A contemporary reinterpretation of the Kushdepdi dance, where collective energy and the ritual of encounter transform into an evolving choreographic language, exploring the tension between tradition and future.

Emotional evolution inspired by the Kushdepdi, reimagined as a contemporary folk dance of the 21st century.

Kushdepdi is a traditional Turkmen dance characterized by energetic movements, jumps, and rhythmic clapping and stomping, symbolizing strength, joy, and communal celebration. Incorporating the underlying themes of this dance into a contemporary creation allows for the exploration of a rich emotional progression, reflecting both cultural heritage and modern interpretation.

Conclusion
Drawing inspiration from Kushdepdi, the focus is placed on emotional evolution within a 21st-century contemporary folk dance that offers a rich palette of expression—honoring tradition while embracing innovation. It reflects the emotional journey of a community navigating between cultural heritage and modernity, culminating in a renewed collective celebration.