Jahresrückblick 2024 – Center for Choreography Bleiburg

Published

December 21, 2024

The year 2024 was a year full of creative energy. Our cultural association enriched the cultural landscape of Bleiburg and beyond with a variety of projects, from dance theater and workshops to international residencies and an unforgettable dance festival. Art and people came together to entertain and move.

Februar/March 2024 - Dance Theater Production: "I am excessive in everything"

With our own production about the fascinating writer Christine Lavant at the Kulturni Dom Pliberk/Bleiburg in March 2024, we brought an extraordinary work to the stage that captivated the audience. Directed by Zdravko Haderlap, the performance captured the fragility and genius of Lavant in a combination of acting, dance, and music. A total of 1,200 visitors attended the performances, including a special show for schools, which had a particularly strong impact. Also noteworthy was the exhibition on Werner Berg and Christine Lavant at the Werner Berg Museum, where images and videos from the production were displayed, along with a book and photo sale during the performances organized by the Magnet bookstore from Völkermarkt.

March 2024 - Workshop: "Dance of Rage"

In March, the "Dance of Rage" workshop took place in collaboration with the Kempten Theater and the BG/BRG for Slovenians. The workshop addressed the issue of sexual abuse and provided artistic and thematic perspectives on rage, grief, and other emotions. Christina Comtesse, the choreographer of the play, worked with the students artistically and thematically in several blocks. We discussed the play and its topic in the classroom, as well as worked through dance and theater in the school gym and Kulturni Dom Pliberk/Bleiburg. The collaboration with the school also bore lasting fruit, as the students visited the production "I am excessive in everything."

April/May 2024 - Interdisciplinary Residency: "ABITARE"

In April/May 2024, the CCB hosted the interdisciplinary residency "ABITARE" at Werkhof Bistrica. The artists Samanta Malavasi and Giusy Cirillo presented their multidisciplinary installation that combined dance and visual art, encouraging reflection on isolation and community. In the fall of 2023, the CCB invited artists to submit innovative concepts on the theme "TURNING POINT." Over 70 artist groups from different countries applied with exciting ideas. After an intense selection process, Samanta Malavasi and Giusy Cirillo were chosen for their project "ABITARE." The residency's closing event took place on May 4, 2024, at Werkhof Bistrica, where the installation was presented to an enthusiastic audience. The project, through the combination of dance and visual art, encouraged questioning modern isolation and rediscovering home as a place of encounter and community.

June 2024 - Long Night of Dance Bleiburg

The 17th Long Night of Dance transformed Bleiburg into a place of pulsating creativity. Under the motto "The Woman and Her Artistic Creation," the town became a stage for works by female artists from around the world. The program offered a diverse mix of international performances, interactive formats, and musical contributions.

One of the highlights was the preview of "Chemical Joy," a work by choreographer Lenio Kaklea, created in collaboration with Bodhi Project. Regional artists were also represented, including Andrea K. Schlehwein. Under the direction of Anna Hein, the Public Art Stations offered the opportunity to actively experience contemporary dance and immerse in the creative processes of the artists. The musical accompaniment by the no string quartet added another dimension to the atmosphere of the event.

Additionally, there was a collaboration with the ImPulsTanz Festival as part of the Long Night of Dance. In the week leading up to the Long Night of Dance, the "Public Moves" took place in Klagenfurt, partially with artists from the Long Night of Dance.

Organization and Development

A fresh wind blew through our association this year: Guido Markowitz, ballet director at the Pforzheim Theater, took over the role of president and artistic director of CCB. With his vision of establishing CCB as a platform for young talents from the Alpine-Adriatic region, he brought new dynamism to our work.

With a newly formed curatorial team for the Long Night of Dance 2025, consisting of Guido Markowitz, Anna Hein, Rio Rutzinger, Susan Quinn, and Hanspeter Horner, the program for the next edition was already selected in August. In the summer of 2024, an open call was launched, inviting artists and ensembles from across Europe to submit their concepts. Over 130 applications from all over the world were received by CCB.

Since summer 2024 the board of CCB is working on the new program for 2025-2027. We are very much looking forward to tell you about our new projects!

Thanks and Outlook

A heartfelt thank you goes to everyone who supported us this year – our funders, artists, and partners. We look forward to starting 2025 with new projects and continuing to enrich the cultural landscape.