Faso Danse Théâtre: WAKATT

Serge Aime´ Coulibaly is a dancer and choreographer from Burkina Faso. Since he set up his Faso Dance The´a^tre company in 2002, Serge Aime´ Coulibaly has been exploring complex themes in the desire to develop genuine and innovative dance projects. His inspiration is rooted in African cultures and his art is committed to the need for contemporary and powerful dance, anchored in emotion, yet a bearer of reflection and hope. His vigorous expressiveness makes his work universal and finds a response on several continents. Coulibaly’s works are always created partially in Africa and partially in Europe.

WAATT, a creative collaboration between ten charismatic dancers and the Magic Malik Orchestra riding the magical carpet of live African ethno blues, is based on a finding that is today blatantly obvious to everyone: we live in a time of fear in which the 'other' is synonymous with 'threat'. From Europe to Bangladesh, in the United States, Tunisia or Kenya, the fear of attacks (from the ‘others’) has reached its peak. We fight these 'others' or 'strangers', as if they had a contagious disease. We believe that we should keep them at a distance, that we should restrict them, lock them up, thoroughly control them, suffocate them or drown them. Paranoia, the constant identification of supposed enemies and the terror that goes with it, set a self-destructive machine in motion.

In this zeitgeist, human encounters are constantly threatened; opportunities for an exchange, both physical and psychological, are limited by the construction of fences, walls and fences on an individual, national and international level. This world confronts people who, through their way of life and their many journeys, repeatedly cross borders, who, through their numerous encounters with others, are part of a complex and rich world grounded in a common history and hinged on an infinite variety of sources.

WAKATT, which stands for 'our time' in Mooré, the official language of Burkina Faso, will show a struggle of bodies moving together for a common, open and nobler future.