International Dance Day 2024

20 meters in length, 9 meters in width, and 4 meters in height

April 29, 2024, 11:00 am–6:00 pm, Kongresni Square, Ljubljana

“The unfaithful imagination, what I like most about you is your ruthlessness.” André Breton, Manifesto of Surrealism (1924)

From the very beginning, Slovenian contemporary dance has been waiting for suitable infrastructure. For rehearsal spaces. For stable funding. For an institution. For dance studies. For better working conditions. For what every artistic genre, which is in the public interest, rightfully deserves.

The project’s title is derived from the dimensions of a modular studio designed for contemporary dance. We only saw it in the courtyard of the company that manufactured it. Allegedly, it now serves a different purpose. We lost it along with the public institution, the Center for Contemporary Dance Arts, which was abolished before it could come to life.

On International Dance Day, we will resurrect the lost studio from dreams and fill it with dreams. Because we, too, appreciate the ruthlessness of the unfaithful imagination. And because we love dance.

*The public institution was finally established on July 7, 2011, after a decade of preparations. In September, Igor Teršar assumed the role of acting director. Renovation for the arrangement of offices at the institution’s headquarters on Zaloška Street began. From the institution’s funds, a modular studio measuring 20 meters in length, 9 meters in width, and 4 meters in height was ordered, built, and paid for. Before the new year, Teršar resigned, and he was succeeded by acting director Matjaž Farič. On February 10, a new government under Janez Janša took office, and Dr. Žiga Turk reorganized the Ministry of Culture into the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports. In March, Farič requested dismissal because, due to the new government’s decision, any conclusion of copyright contracts was prohibited, and the public institution could not employ, the lease contract for the office was not extended, and the acting director, after more than a month, did not receive a contract for his work. On August 23, 2012, the government adopted a resolution to abolish the public institution Center for Contemporary Dance Arts, estimating the savings for 2012 at 660,000 euros.

Dance Pavilion on Tour:
June 1st: Korpus Festival, Celje Main Square
June 7th: Kalejdoskop Festival, Kranj
August 29th: Platforma Festival, Maribor

CREDITS:
Conceptual design and project management: Sabrina Železnik, Teja Reba
Set design: Toni Soprano Meneglejte
Executive production: Tjaša Bertoncelj
Communication: Katja Lenarčič
Graphic design: Mina Fina
Proofreading: Tjaša Mislej
Translation: Katja Kosi
Photo documentation: Nada Žgank
Video documentation: Tina Šulc Resnik
Technical management: Igor Remeta
Technical support: Andraž Bobnar
Event moderator: Daniel Petković
Costume: Jan Brovč

Project partners: KUD Plesni forum Celje, KUD Kultivarnica Celje, KD Qulenium Kranj, Zavod Moja Kreacija, JSKD – Department for Dance Activities (Series of dance miniatures from the Opus 1 competition), GT22, Maska, The Hotel.

The project is supported by the Ministry of Culture, the Municipality of Ljubljana, and Turizem Ljubljana.