The BIENNALE PASSAGES 06 received the regional press award “Star of the Year” for being an outstanding cultural institution and for bringing together people from diverse cultural backgrounds through the medium of dance. This success was thanks to the open concept of the BIENNALE PASSAGES 06 in which artists and audience, students and teachers interacted on the same level with one another: as human beings.

The BIENNALE PASSAGES represents a modern approach to African Contemporary Dance and its present scene. It is a unique opportunity to experience Contemporary Dance from the African continent during this festival in all of its facets. The term „PASSAGES” which describes a short stay explains the idea of the BIENNALE best. Artists from all over Africa and Europe come to DansArt to present their cultural and artistic experience during these four days. Dancers, choreographers, photographers as well as artists all come together to present their creations to a wide audience of professionals and amateurs from all over Europe. The BIENNALE PASSAGES will turn into a positive station in the artistic development of its participants. It is an opportunity to further professional training and to establish contacts supporting the realisation of future projects. A new approach during the BIENNALE PASSAGES 10 will be the collaboration between German choreographers and African artists. While being resident artists in Bielefeld and being in the final phase of their production they are given the space to work on their creations and then present them at the festival. As a role model for a generation willing to leave behind the negative image of poverty and underdevelopment these artists are regarded as privileged partners - and they take their role seriously. Thanks to their own projects, dancers and those activeley involved in the cultural scene transfer motivation, experiences and hopes to their fellow human beings; thus dancing becomes a positive social factor. We thank all our sponsors for the great support and wish all our participants exciting performances, inspiring exhibitions and workshops and stimulating conferences during the BIENNALE PASSAGES 10.

Tchekpo Dan Agbetou director
Ulla und Tchekpo Dan Agbetou artistic directors