Programme Day 2 - 24 July

Start Time: 7:15pm

Performances: BLACK (Oulouy) - ASHES2ASHES (Moveo Dance Company) - RAKKE (Louis Thuriot & Patricia George) - TODO ESTE RUIDO (Qabalum) - STILLNESS IN WAITING (Douglas Comley & Nick Phillips) - PANOPTICON (Vasiliki Papapostolou) - CONVERSATIONS WITH THE ARTIST (Dr Paula Guzzanti)

Oulouy (Ivory Coast)

BLACK

Date: 24th July | Location: Valletta Campus Theatre, Valletta | Duration: 30mins

Disclaimer:

This performance includes strobe lighting. Viewer discretion is advised.

Synopsis:

'Black’ is a reflection on the violence and emancipation of blackness in today’s world, through a body that challenges and disturbs, a body that is both wounded and celebrated. Using a set devoid of artifice and brimming with symbolism, choreographer  and performer Oulouy hints at recent history such as the #BlackLivesMatter movement and the murder of George Floyd to rethink the Black African body in the Western world. ‘Black’ is a dance, a visual and musical chronicle, narrated through street dance styles of the African continent and its diaspora in the USA, such as Coupé-Décalé, Ndomboló, Afrohouse or Krump.

Oulouy - Choreographer & Performer

Born on the Ivory Coast and based in Spain, Oulouy combines his role as choreographer, dancer and artistic director with teaching masterclasses worldwide. His first work 'Black' (2020) is a reflection on violence and the emancipation of black bodies in contemporary societies. Accompanied on stage by his international crew of Supa Rich Kids, 'Afrikan Party' (2022) is a futuristic ode to Africa. And his most recent work is 'Kong' (2024). His stage works have been presented internationally in venues such as Perelman Performing Arts Center in New York, Bluma Appel in Toronto, Fabrik Potsdam in Germany, Dansens Hus Oslo, Mercat de les Flors, Teatro Principal de Palma, Journées Théâtrales de Carthage, Suzanne Dellal Centre, Dampfzentrale, among others. 'Black' was selected for the Danza a Escena 2024 catalogue to tour within Spain – Oulouy is actually one of the first choreographers to present their work within this network. 'Afrikan Party' received the Best Choreography award  of the Catalan Performing Arts Critics Awards (2023), and this work has also been included in the choreographic archive of the New York Public Library. Oulouy is also the founder and curator of the festival Oyofe dedicated to street dances. Oulouy has been selected as an Aerowaves25 artist this year with his piece ‘Black’.

Performance Trailer:

Credits:

Choreography and Performance: Oulouy | Produced and Distributed: by Africa Moment

Moveo Dance Company (Malta)

ASHES2ASHES

World Premier Performance

Date: 24th July | Location: Valletta Campus Theatre, Valletta | Duration: 15mins

Synopsis:

Ashes2Ashes is a contemporary dance work inspired by the ancient ritual of the “8-hour hunt,” when early humans moved in deep connection with the land and with one another, guided by instinct, endurance, and mutual respect. Rooted in the textures of soil and sand, the work uses the earth as both material and metaphor, shifting, grounding, and transforming the body. It reimagines a world where humanity once again relies on collective effort and an intrinsic relationship with nature, and questions how this connection has been eroded over time, revealing a present where respect for both the earth and each other has diminished. Ashes2Ashes is a reflection on origin and return, reminding us that beneath our differences, we are shaped by the same ground, and ultimately return to it. 

About the Company:

Moveo Dance Company is a Maltese contemporary dance ensemble known for its physically charged, concept-driven performances. Blending strong theatricality with technique, the company explores themes of identity, human connection, and various social themes. Moveo’s work often reflects a deep curiosity about the human condition, expressed through bold choreography and immersive stage environments. Founded in 2008 by Artistic Director Dorian Mallia, collaborators Diane Portelli and Dorian Mallia have been instrumental in shaping the company’s distinctive voice. Their creative partnership brings together diverse influences, resulting in performances that are both emotionally resonant and visually compelling. Through their direction, Moveo has developed a reputation for producing work that challenges audiences while remaining accessible and engaging. The company has presented work across Malta and internationally, continuously evolving its artistic approach while maintaining a commitment to high-quality performance. Moveo also invests in the development of local talent, creating a supportive environment for dancers to grow and experiment. With each production, Moveo Dance Company seeks to push boundaries and spark dialogue, offering audiences a powerful and thought-provoking contemporary dance experience. 

Diane Portelli - Choreographer & Performer

Diane began her dance journey at the age of three at the Tanya Bayona Princess Poutiatine Academy of Ballet, where she trained extensively in classical ballet, modern, contemporary, and flamenco. She later joined The Dance Workshop, where she now works as a teacher and choreographer. Her talent has been recognised through awards such as the Luisello Award for Spanish Dance and the Duke of Ellington Award for Modern Dance. Diane furthered her training internationally, including in Pavia, Italy, and through workshops with renowned companies such as Random Dance Company, Ultima Vez, and Hofesh Shechter Company. She also won two gold medals at the World Championships for Performing Arts in Hollywood under the guidance of Janet Vella. Since joining Moveo Dance Company in 2015, Diane has grown from dancer to director. Her choreographic work has toured internationally, gaining recondition and award both locally and overseas. 

Credits:

Choreographer: Diane Portelli in collaboration with dancers | Composer: Mario Sammut | Performers: Charlotte Carpentier, Irene Nocella & Jonay Malvar Sierrs | Costume and Light Design: Diane Portelli 

Supported by:

European Festival Fund for Emerging Artists (EFFEA), European Festivals Association (EFA), En-Knap, Mosaico Danza Interplay Festival, OtraDanza, Arts Council Malta, and Malta International Arts Festival

Louis Thuriot & Patricia George (Belgium)

RAKKE  

Date: 24th July | Location: Valletta Campus Theatre, Valletta | Duration: 14mins

Synopsis:

RAKKE is a fight, performed by a mother and son. The word comes from West Flemish (our dialect) and means quarrel. The piece is inspired by our own family conflicts and the emotions that come with them e.g. shame, pride, frustration, anger, and the feeling of losing control. Fights between parents and children are full of layers, and as we explored them, we found recurring patterns. What sparks a fight? What keeps it going? And how does it finally calm down? These questions, and the emotions behind them, became the heart of our work

and shaped the piece into something deeply personal.

Note that this performance is in Flemish. The full translated text enacted during the performance can be found below:

Louis: Allez mama kom dans nu! / Common mama, please dance!

Mama: Neenk ventje, kene ge goeste! / No, I don't feel like it!

Louis: En waarom ni? / And why not? 

Mama: Ge weet dak da ni geire doe! / You know I don't like to do that! 

Louis: Ma ge doet dat zo goed / But you are so good at it! 

Mama: Ja Ja, maar toch niet op commando! / Yes yes, but not on command! 

Louis: Op commando? We hebben hierover gesproken, jij wou een stuk maken, en nu wil je niet dansen!!! / On command? We talked about this, you wanted to create a show, and now you don't want to dance!!!

Mama: Ja maar dat was het ding niet he! Ik ging accordeon spelen, toch niet dansen?! / Yes but that wasn't the condition! I was going to play accordion, not dance! 

Louis: Tis ma voor effekes he zeg! Ge wilt toch zelf dat het een goede voorstelling is! / It is just for a short moment!! You also want it to be a good show right? 

Mama: Louis ik heb nog nooit geen dansles gevolgd, en nu zou ik ineens voor publiek moeten dansen! / Louis, I've never had a dance class in my life, and now I should just start dancing in front of an audience? 

Louis: ge zegt toch zelf dat dansen in u genen zit? Dat ik het van u heb gekregen? / You have been saying yourself that dancing is in your genes! That I got the genes from you?

Mama: ja ja, ik zie dat wel graag, maar zo zwaaien en zwieren met mijn benen over de grond, dat is agelijk niet nie mere voor min! / Yes yes, I enjoy watching it, but to swing and move my legs on the floor, that is nothing anymore for me! 

Louis: Ga dan niet naar de grond he!! Doe dan iets anders! / Then don't go to the floor!! Do something else! 

Mama: Maar wat moet ik dan nog doen op mijne leeftijd? (Valt op de grond) / But what should I then still do at my age? (Falls on the floor) 

Louis Thuriot - Choreographer & Performer

Louis Thuriot (1996, Belgium) studied at Codarts and interned with PDC by Club Guy and Roni. He danced with TanzMainz (2018–2022) and Opera Ballet Flanders (2022–2024), working with choreographers like Alain Platel, Sharon Eyal, Jan Martens, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and more. In 2024, he became a freelance artist, exploring new creative collaborations.

Patricia George - Composer & Performer

Patricia George (1969, Belgium) studied accordion and chamber music at the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp, earning First Prizes in both. She toured globally with La Tristeza Complice by Alain Platel and collaborated with various production houses. She composes for Duo Accell and teaches accordion at the Kunstbrug Academy in Ghent.

Performance Trailer:

Credits:

Choreography: Louis Thuriot | Music Composition: Patricia George | Songs: 'Broken' & 'Movimento Continuo' by Patricia George

Qabalum (Spain) 

TODO ESTE RUIDO

Date: 24th July | Location: Valletta Campus Theatre, Valletta | Duration: 23mins

Synopsis:

"I think maybe our life is one version of many,

and that everything, except us, happens again. Maybe that’s enough.

And my atoms and yours, like the pixels of an image, are not ours,

and one day they will separate to give birth to other images, other stories.

And you and I, who have come from so far, who have crossed the cosmos

to end up right here, will dissolve, little by little,

into the eternity we are already a part of."

I look again at the particles, I admire their trajectory, their position.

I don’t want to keep doing it, I don’t want to look at anything lifeless again.

About the Company:

QABALUM is a contemporary dance collective founded in Pamplona in 2020 dedicated to creation and performance, teaching and cultural mediation. Formed by Lucía Burguete and Diego Pazó, their works have been shown at festivals and theatres throughout Spain and also internationally. In addition to carrying out their creative and pedagogical work as a collective, Diego and Lucía develop their careers as performers with choreographers and companies such as Peeping Tom, Daniel Abreu, Jesús Rubio, LED Silhouette, Antonio Ruz, Elías Aguirre or Laida Aldaz among others. In five years of continuous touring, audiences have praised the technical brilliance of its performers, the development of their unique style, and their ability to command the space and captivate the audience. Their works bet on the body as a narrative and poetic force, choreographic craftsmanship as dramaturgy, precision in both technique and stage presence, and the evocation of emotional atmospheres and landscapes that shape the spectator’s experience of time.

Lucia Burguete - Creator & Performer

Trained in contemporary dance at La Faktoría CC. After a young career as a gymnast, Lucía has worked—and continues to work—with companies such as Peeping Tom, LED Silhouette, Antonio Ruz, Proyecto Larrua, Laida Aldaz, and Vicky Miranda. She has been a guest instructor on training programs such as TRY Dance Program and Impulstanz Vienna, where she was Laura Aris’ assistant.

Diego Pazó - Creator & Performer

A graduate in Fine Arts from UVigo, he began dancing through breakdancing and trained at La Faktoria CC. He currently works for the Daniel Abreu Company and LED Silhouette. He has also performed for the Jesús Rubio Company, Proyecto Larrua, Isael Mata, Laida Aldaz, Joao Cidade, and Vero Cendoya. In parallel, he has also pursued a teaching career, having been a guest professor at training programs such as TRY Dance Program, SEAD Movementors, and Profitraining Freiburg, among others.

Performance Trailer:

Credits:

Creation: Diego Pazó & Lucía Burguete | Performance: Diego Pazó, Lucía Burguete & Joan Cano [drone] | Light and Stage Design: Fermín Blanco & Diego Pazó | Technical Assistance: Liberam Technologies & Livory Barbez | Music: 'VV.AA.' by Diego Pazó | Audiovisual: AVRIGO STUDIO – Bárbara Fernández, David Mendizábal & Diego Pazó | Cover: Laura Gutiérrez | Original text: Diego Pazó | Distribution/Production Assistance: Patty Hinchado | Supported by: DNA 2024 - Gobierno de Navarra, Centro de Danza de Zaragoza, Festival Pies Para Qué Los Quiero, Festival Cuerpo Romo, Sortutakoak - Dantzagunea, Dantzalabea - Teatro Barakaldo, Universidad San Jorge, Harrobi Antsoaingo Gaztelekua & CRJ Baragazte | Thanks: Akira Yoshida, Sandra Muñiz, Martxel Rodríguez & Jon López.

Supported by:

AC/E - Acción Cultural Española, PICE - programa para la Internacionalización de la Cultura Española & Embajada De España En Malta

Douglas Comley & Nick Phillips (Malta/Wales) 

STILLNESS IN WAITING

Date: 24th July | Location: Valletta Campus Theatre, Valletta | Duration: 12mins

Synopsis:

Stillness in the Waiting is a duet that explores the internal journey of two men confronting the inevitability of death. Set in a minimalist space, their worlds unfold in a slow unraveling of tension, memory, and resignation. Comedic and touching it reflects the ebb and flow of fear, hope, and introspection. They navigate isolation, reaching toward unseen presences and grappling with the weight of time, their resistance gives way to quiet acceptance, culminating in a final gesture of surrender. This intimate work is a meditation on mortality, silence, and the quiet poetry of waiting for that last moment.

Douglas Comley - Choreographer & Performer

Creative Arts Wales award winner Douglas Comley completed a BA (Hons) in Performance Arts at Middlesex University London. He began his professional dance career with Nexus Dance under Nigel Charnock (DV8). He later performed with companies including Vincent Dance Theatre, Attik Dance and Daghdha Dance, and choreographed for various groups such as Contact Dance Company in Malta and directed Dynion Dance Theatre. During this time, he contributed to the design, choreography and delivery of several large-scale opening ceremony events, including the Rugby World Cup, Commonwealth Games and World Gymnaestrada. Douglas currently works with Opening Doors Association, Jo Casabene Dance School and the Malta Dementia Society, and has recently taken part in several performance projects with Theatre Anon.

Nick Phillips - Choreographer & Performer

Nicky is a 50‑year‑old dancer whose work fuses classical training from the Laban Centre for Movement and Dance with the innovation of contemporary wheelchair performance. After an accident in the late ’90s led to his transition to being a wheelchair user, Nick reimagined his movement practice, developing a dynamic style that challenges assumptions about age, ability, and the dancing body. Known for his emotional clarity and bold physicality, he continues to create and perform work that pushes boundaries and expands what dance can be. Nick has worked in the past with various companies such as Dynion Dance Theatre,  New Cross Contemporary Company, National Theatre of Wales and for BBC Wales exploring disability in lockdown.

Sandra Mifsud - Choreographer

Sandra Mifsud is a freelance dance practitioner and project coordinator who completed an MA in Performance Studies at the University of Malta in 2012. She helped establish ŻfinMalta, Malta’s National Dance Company, serving as project manager until 2015. She was artistic director of Opening Doors Association from 2015 to 2019, and has been working as programme coordinator for Dance Festival Malta since 2022 to date. Between 2021 and 2024, she managed performances with Opening Doors and director Douglas Comley for the Żigużajg Children’s Festival. She has performed with Theatre Anon and worked as a movement director on productions including Dik is-Siġra F’Nofs tat-Triq (2023) and Daqsxejn ta’ Requiem Lil Leli (2024/2025). She also collaborated with Adrian Buckle on Medea (2024), directed by Bettina Paris. Sandra choreographed Illusio for Żfinmade 2024 and Jesus Christ Superstar for FM Theatre Productions. In 2025, she coordinated a Ritmu Festival project on the traditional dance il-Kumittiva. She is also a registered Yoga Alliance teacher.

Performance Trailer:

Credits:

Choreography: Douglas Comley, Nicky Phillips & Sandra Mifsud | Performers: Douglas Comley & Nick Phillips | Music: Vince Clark

Supported by:

AC/E - Acción Cultural Española, PICE - programa para la Internacionalización de la Cultura Española & Embajada De España En Malta

Vasiliki Papapostolou (Greece)

PANOPTICON

Date: 24th July | Location: Valletta Campus Theatre, Valletta | Duration: 26mins

Synopsis:

In the eighteenth century, Jeremy Bentham created the Panopticon, a prison design emphasising constant surveillance. Foucault argued that this concept reflects modern society, where individuals internalise external scrutiny, leading to self-surveillance. In the piece PANOPTICON, the red hands symbolise control, constantly monitoring the body, which represents the human spirit struggling against a mechanised existence focused on conformity and statistics. The work explores the inner conflict among the ego, superego, and subconscious, highlighting the tension between order and chaos and the desire for control over an unpredictable life. The character wrestles with the paradox of wanting visibility while feeling invisible, performing for others and questioning their identity. Ultimately, the piece reflects on life’s meaning, the desire to escape judgment, and the futility of societal rules, portraying the soul trapped in a machine-like body in an increasingly predictable world.

Vasiliki Papapostolou - Choreographer & Performer

Vasiliki Papapostolou aka Tarantism is an international experimental dance artist originally from Greece. Her movement language is a hybrid of physical theatre, ballroom Latin, and urban street dance styles. Her work invites audiences to reflect on the forces that shape our identities and interactions, from social norms to unconscious biases. Her solo work PANOPTICON has received notable recognition, including 2 awards at 29MASDANZA: the Audience Award and the 3rd Jury Prize, the Audience Award at contact.energy 24 – Tanztheater Erfurt and the Philly Fringies Award (USA) for the split bill performance featuring her piece PANOPTICON and Self Help by mignolo. Vasiliki’s works have been presented internationally, including at renowned venues such as Sadler’s Wells -  main stage for Breakin’ Convention (UK), Whitechapel Gallery (UK), Jersey City Theater Center (Jersey City, USA), Massey Theatre - OUROFest (Vancouver, Canada), Kunstfestspiele (Hanover, Germany), National Theatre of Miskolc (Hungary), Sibenik Dance Festival (Croatia), The Place (London, UK), Arts On Site (New York, USA), Cadiz en Danza (Spain), La Fundicion (Bilbao, Spain), Armunia Teatro (Italy), Dancehauspiu (Milan, Italy),MIM Sueca (Valencia, Spain), Arteria Tortosa (Spain), Derrida Stage (Sofia, Bulgaria), Frei Art Festival (Freiburg, Germany), Philly Fringe Festival (Philadelphia, USA), Dance Waves Festival (Nicosia, Cyprus),TEDx Panteion University (Athens, Greece), CICBUNY (Burgos, Spain), Morven Museum (Princeton, USA), Koresh Dance (Philadelphia, USA), Block 336 (London, UK) more.

Performance Trailer:

Credits:

Choreography/Performance/Text: Vasiliki Papapostolou aka Tarantism | Music & Sound Design: Christopher Nas | Music Track: 'Panopticon' by Christopher Nas | Lighting Designer: Emma Gasson | Videographer: Klaus Shehaj

Conversations with the Artists

With Dr Paula Guzzanti

Date: 24th July | Location: Valletta Campus Theatre, Valletta | Duration: 40mins

CONVERSATION WITH ALL ARTISTS ATTENDING THE Q & R SESSION

About The Mediator:

Dr Paula Guzzanti is a dance artist, scholar, somatic movement practitioner, and tango dancer and teacher. She specialises in artistic and embodied research practices. In her research, Paula explores the role of the sensorial body in fostering responsible decision-making when designing urban landscapes that connect us to the natural environment. She is particularly interested in developing methodologies to deepen our interaction with the world, including the use of digital technologies to document sensory connections to places. She began her dance training in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and later continued in Ireland, where she earned a practice-based PhD in Dance Improvisation and Collaborative Performance Making at Queen’s University Belfast. She now resides in Malta, where she is the Head of the Dance Studies Department at the University of Malta.

IMPORTANT

The performance 'BLACK' includes strobe lighting. Viewer discretion is advised.

Dance Festival Malta is sponsored by:

APS Bank, Atlas Insurance, Camilleri Preziosi Advocates, GSD Marketing Ltd, MAPFRE, and Visit Malta