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To Begin the Dance Once More

Today is the Global Day of Action called by Egyptian groups at COP27 – the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties taking place in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

In solidarity with the Global Day of Climate Action we are excited to release the first short segment of our new Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland screen dance commission entitled To Begin the Dance Once More bringing you Mother Earth stories from Egypt and Scotland. Watch here:

To Begin the Dance Once More? In a near future world, a family is torn apart as they escape their homeland in the South, ravaged by the impact of climate change and extreme weather. Enter climate refugees Isis, Beira and Bride whose lineage stretches back to their namesakes, the Egyptian and Celtic Goddesses as mothers and daughters of Earth.

The magical dance of displacement, uncertainty and migration which follows, speaks to our intrinsic need to belong and bond with others. The importance of connecting with and respecting our natural world is at its heart.

Featuring an original score and visuals, an international team of creatives reimagine the mythological world inhabited by Isis, Beira and Bride in a beautifully compelling and vital piece of storytelling and movement for the screen.

The full production of To Begin the Dance Once More will be released at an in-person event on 29 April 2023 marking International Dance Day as part of Pomegranates 2023 – the 2nd international trad dance festival curated by Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland taking place across Edinburgh.

To Begin the Dance Once More is funded by the British Council. It is one of the Creative Commissions Egypt as part of the British Council’s Climate Connection cultural programme accompanying COP27.

The entire production is being devised through a remote international collaboration between creative teams based in Edinburgh and Cairo.

The screen dance production is also supported by Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh; St Cecilia’s Hall: Concert Room and Music Museum, University of Edinburgh; Scottish International Storytelling Festival and Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh.

To Begin the Dance Once More

Mother Earth Stories from Egypt and Scotland

Executive producer
Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland

Director
Marlene Millar

Dancers
Yuxi Jiang
Liron Blajwajs

Choreographer
Vincent Hantam

Composer
Jonathan Bews

Videographer
Barrie Barreto

Curators
Wendy Timmons
Iliyana Nedkova
Eleanor Sinclair

Assistant Curator
Wangxiu Cheng

Poetry by
Donald Smith

Additional support by

Choreographer
Hassan Khalil

Dancers
Hannah Sheko
Aya Tawfik

Videographer
Hossam El Din

© Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland, 2022

#COP27 #climateconnections #WeAreNotYetDefeated