deBuren

Is there a gulf between dance in Flanders and that in the Netherlands? In the field of dance the two countries can hardly be called favourite partners, although the same issues are played out in the cultural-political dance debates in the North and South: a concern for a good climate for artistic development and productive international exchange but also for better distribution and visibility.

The Flemish Theatre Institute (VTi) is developing a 'masterplan for dance', the blueprint for an integrated dance policy for Flanders and Brussels. In order to fuel this process, an interim discussion is being held at deBuren. The report Dans zichtbaar beter, the recently published result of a self-examination by the dance sector in the Netherlands, is the springboard for the discussion. Is the situation in Belgium comparable with that in the Netherlands?

Ruud Nederveen (DOD, branch organisation for dance) and Leontien Wiering (Nederlandse Dansdagen) explain Dans zichtbaar beter. Then will follow contributions from Wim Vandekeybus (Ultima Vez), Laurien Saraber (policy observer, the Netherlands), Delphine Hesters (KU Leuven), Franky Devos (Buda, dance evaluation commission), Theo Van Rompay (P.A.R.T.S.), Pieter T'Jonck (critic on De Morgen), Ivana Müller (performance artist) and Thomas Steyaert (dancer/choreographer).

In association with VTi
www.vti.be