From September 2024 to August 2025, 80 years of freedom were celebrated, commemorating our liberation 80 years ago. It is important to reflect on this in light of the current wars in Ukraine and Gaza, among other places, and the many war refugees. And to be able to do something about the increasing polarisation in our country.
As an art form, dance offers many possibilities to express the theme of freedom. This led to the idea at the DanZee Foundation, in various discussions with prospective future partner the Dansz Foundation, to organise a large-scale dance production around the theme of freedom. A production consisting of three different choreographies, created by three different choreographers, each translating their own vision of freedom into a short choreography.
The organisation
For this extensive dance project, the DanZee Foundation, in collaboration with ZB Library of Zeeland and the Dansz Foundation, joined forces with the Zeeland Liberation Festival and the 80 Years of Freedom Foundation. The organisation and implementation of the project were carried out by Stichting DanZee in collaboration with ZB Library of Zeeland. This project was made possible in part thanks to the contribution of the Impuls Jongerencultuur subsidy scheme of the Province of Zeeland.
By and for whom
The development of young dancers from Zeeland is high on the agenda at Stichting DanZee. That is why DanZee wrote to ballet schools in Zeeland with a call for young dance talent aged 14-27 to take part. In addition to applications via the dance schools, individual dancers also applied via social media.
Three young Zeeland choreographers, each with their own dance style, were approached for the artistic performance:
Sophia van der Putten is a creator, performer and movement director. Sophia creates contemporary and dance theatre. Her work has been shown at festivals such as the Café Theater Festival, Amsterdam Fringe Festival and Festival De Oversteek. As a choreographer, Sophia involves dancers in artistic research, focusing on personal stories and fascinations related to the theme. In addition to performances, Sophia leads dance and theatre projects, both in the Netherlands and internationally.
Kevin van der Kleij has been involved in the hip-hop dance scene since 2003. Through battles and theatre, he developed into a versatile dancer. In 2016 and 2018, he and his group Avant Garde Collective won the TV programmes Battle On The Dancefloor and Time to Dance. Since then, he has performed on many major stages and collaborated with various artists. In addition to his own dance career, Kevin enjoys sharing his passion for dance by teaching different target groups. He is currently a teacher and artistic coordinator at MBO DANS.
Madelief van den Biggelaar graduated from the dance academy in Roosendaal 1.5 years ago. She now has her own company, Dancejam, where she organises cultural activities to connect people with each other. She also works as a dance teacher, choreographer and performer. In addition to her dance career, she is also very involved in videography. For example, she collaborated on her own short film, called JONG MAAR VOLWASSEN (Young but Mature).
Rehearsal process
The choreographers had prepared well for the four rehearsal days and all three were able to establish good contact with the individual dancers. There was a real click. The rehearsals took place at the Omnium Goes on weekends in March and April, alternating between Saturdays and Sundays. Each choreographer rehearsed in one of the Omnium’s three studios. The process began with everyone talking about freedom and what that means to each individual. Each choreographer involved the group in the creative process of the performance. Sophia worked on the choreography “Onderstroom” (Undercurrent), Madelief on “De dag na morgen” (The Day After Tomorrow) and Kevin on “Out There”. During the joint breaks, the three groups were able to have lunch together and catch up.
During the rehearsal weekends, preparations were made for two performances:
1) The International Youth Freedom Conference in Middelburg on 2 and 3 May 2025 (not open to the public).
This conference was intended to connect young people from various countries and involve them in the debate on freedom. On Friday 2 May, 250 international young people (and approximately 30 internally interested parties) from all over the world were present. The dance performance “80 Years of Freedom” in the auditorium of the Middelburg Theatre was the plenary conclusion of the Friday programme for these young people. Some reactions from various young people after the performance: “…amazing what you can portray about freedom in dance‘, ’…nice to see dance after many conversations”.
2) The Zeeland Liberation Festival on 5 May 2025 (open to the public). At least 750 people watched the performance in the Machinefabriek. There was a small gallery in the Vrijheidstheater, and the fence was open, allowing a few hundred extra people to watch from the side. Headphones made it easy to follow the performance. Without these headphones, the music of the three choreographies would have been too much disturbed by the other sounds of the festival. The project was announced in advance and the sponsors were thanked. Each choreographer then announced their own choreography and group. Each choreography lasted 10 minutes. The production support from the festival (e.g. dressing rooms, technical equipment and drinks on site) was well organised. The technical equipment was somewhat less involved due to all the hustle and bustle at the festival, which meant that the music started late, but the dancers dealt with this well. The Zeeland Liberation Festival also included the performance in their online programme and on their social media.
Awareness
The dance production raised awareness of the concept of freedom. Through dance and expression, young people and the audience were encouraged to think about what freedom means to them. This will be further explored in the evaluation with the three choreographers.
Empowerment
The young people participating in the production were given the opportunity to make their voices heard and share their personal experiences with freedom. This empowerment process can help them to feel more confident and free. Statements such as “Free to do, have rights, have a voice, be free to believe, express opinions, show emotions” underline this empowerment.
Creative Expression
Dance offers a unique form of creative expression. Young people can express their feelings and thoughts about freedom through movement and choreography. Femke (one of the dancers) for example said: “By engaging with freedom with both your mind and your body, I am even more aware of what freedom is. It’s so cool that we can express this through dance”.
Inspiration
The dance production can inspire others to think about their own freedom and how they can cherish it. The audience is encouraged to actively participate in the conversation about freedom. The headphones made the experience in the Machinefabriek even more intense. Afterwards, several parents said that they had been inspired to think about freedom again (this was also evident in the conversations at the “coffee tables”).
The dance production is not only an artistic expression, but also a powerful means of engaging young people in the important theme of freedom, in all its facets.
The Hurgronje Family Fund made a financial contribution to the realisation of this production.
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