the transformative power of movement

Empty City

Premier: 2. October 2024, Tanzhaus
Shows: 3. - 6.10.2024, Tanzhaus Zurich

«Empty City is a testimony to coping with life and the search for belonging. It's a story of different people coming together and weaving a tapestry of community and belonging that transcends differences in history and faith.» Aly Khamees

This production is inspired by the enigmatic City of the Dead. The World Heritage Site is located in the heart of Cairo and dates back to the 7th century. This huge Islamic necropolis has developed into a unique blend of history, culture and everyday life. Tombs and mausoleums that once served as final resting places have been transformed into homes that represent a whimsical coexistence between the living and the dead. We explore the theme of the resilience of people and communities, reflecting the universal human spirit that often overcomes even the most difficult circumstances. Unique to this production are our participatory formats, with professional and amateur dancers involved in the development of this piece.

The aim of this is to explore and promote creative collaboration with a heterogeneous group who incorporate their stories and experiences into the movement language of the piece. With our approach, we create performances that overcome language barriers, make them tangible for the audience, and we are convinced that this will appeal to a wide audience.

Our motivation is to bring stories to the stage that deal with the challenges of the 21st century and celebrate the commonalities of the human family. Beyond entertainment, we want to encourage dialogue and reflection, invite audiences to reflect on pressing social issues and promote/create a deeper understanding of our environment. Our artistic mission is to transcend cultural boundaries, inspire conversation and explore the complex human experience in order to experience our commonalities and celebrate our diversity.

Team

Aly Khamees - Choreography / Artistic Director 
Jelena Mair - Creative Director / Co-Author / Production
Romain Guion - Outside Eye & Coach 
Issue Park - Dancer / Performer
Giulia Esposito - Dancer / Performer 
Chien Ching Ying - Dancer / Performer
Nadika Mohn – Dancer / Performer
Marcel Gschwend alias Bit-Tuner - Music / Composition

NASLAH

How do norms and stigmas become entrenched in our consciousness, and how can we break free from these inner prisons? Aly Khamees addresses these questions in his powerful and thought-provoking dance solo, Naslah*. Inspired by the rich tradition of Egyptian street dance with knives, which dates back to Pharaonic culture and is practiced on joyous occasions such as weddings as well as during rivalries in the form of competitions, the knives symbolize additional arms on the body with which the dancers cut or paint in the air to express their own soul voice. Fittingly, Naslah also takes inspiration from conversations with people of different backgrounds from Khamee's childhood neighborhood in Cairo and his adopted home in Zurich, which always revolved around the topic of discrimination based on origin or appearance. Khamees aims to tell the stories of people on the margins of society and open up new perspectives on global conditions through his choreography, stating that «In dance we can experience our common humanity».

*In Cairo slang, "Naslah" refers to a sharpened spoon used in prison for personal protection.

©Hitzigraphy