Zweiland

Sasha Waltz is one of the most renowned choreographers in Germany. Her guest performance ZWEILAND was a highlight of the cultural festival celebrating the 40th anniversary of renewed diplomatic relations between Germany and Vietnam. Zweiland is a classic show by Sasha Waltz &Guests. It tells the story of Germany's division and reunification in powerful images. A kiosk, which is besieged, disputed, demolished, rebuilt, pushed around and always played with by the dancers, forms the scenic focal point for a fast, physical, situational dance theater. The dance and the music sung by the dancers themselves touch the audience’s hearts.

As is common for all guest performances by the Goethe-Institut, alongside the big stage performance there were master classes and workshops. This was also the case with guest performances by Helena Waldmann (2012) and Isabelle Schad (2017). On this occasion it was the Japanese tutor Takako Suzuki who instructed the dancers of the Hanoi Dance Academy.

Guest performances usually imply import and export of scenery and stage sets. As a rule, these transfers cause a big headache for event organizers and artists, also on this occasion. It takes subtle communication and sometimes political intervention to overcome bureaucratic obstacles. At the end, when the applause rings out, when enthusiasm rushes through the hall, one forgets for a few moments the many hurdles on the way to artistic performance and encounter.

Related link

»Zweiland« by Sasha Waltz in Vietnam @ Hanoi Opera House | Sasha Waltz & Guests