Inclusive Art Shines At International Dance Festival

There’s a special kind of delight inherent in watching people defy stereotypes. In the first season of ‘Movement’, dancers with disabilities took to the National Theatre of Namibia’s Backstage for a night of integrated dance and social awareness.

‘Movement’ is an international dance festival supported by the embassy of France in Namibia and began with a production titled ‘Belong’. The showcase was a dance performance in three acts featuring South Africa’s Unmute Dance Theatre.

Telling stories of rejection and acceptance performed by the Ombetja Yehinga Organisation (OYO) dance troupe and guest dancers with disabilities, the first two acts of ‘Belong’ spoke to the social challenges and stigma experienced by deaf and blind people.

While ‘Bin Boy’ was performed by the OYO dance troupe, the second act included the premiere of ‘Hear Me’, featuring dancers with different abilities. ‘Hear Me’ was supported by the Embassy of Finland in Windhoek. The dance project was advertised through the National Federation for People with Disabilities, and the performers went through a formal audition process.

“‘Hear Me’ is an inclusive piece featuring some OYO dancers such as Desmond Kamerika and Sydney Farao as well as newcomers with different abilities. ‘Inclusive’ also means treating people the same way, so we followed the same process we always do. People came to audition,” says OYO founder and choreographer Philippe Talavera. The dancers auditioned in February this year and began training in early March.