FITS 2017: Kibbutz Dance Company dazzles Sibiu

You say contemporary dance and everybody thinks of Israeli dance companies. Next thing, Kibbutz Dance Company is on their minds, if not, in top 3. When I’m asked who are they by the people who aren’t regular audience for contemporary dance, I simply respond with “they are the best”.

Why? Because these artists dance with all their body, from the bottom of their feet to the top of their head – don’t get me wrong, all the dancers have this passion, but Kibbutz has a unique, special way to present it to the public. And simply dazzles you.

For this edition of Sibiu International Theatre Festival (FITS), Kibbutz Dance Company has brought to the Sibiu audience Horses in the Sky. Pure poetry and motion, as explained by them:

“Oh’ my broken lamb
I worry when you cry
Baby’s gonna fetch ya
Horses in the sky
Though dead hands ring the garden
And these are violent times
And violence brings more violence
And liars bring more lies”
– A.Silver Mt.Zion

The name of this performance comes from a song by Canadian band Thee Silver Mt Zion Memorial Orchestra. It also evokes thoughts of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse and the end of days, presenting fear but also tenderness. What’s more, although the performance have amazing key moments for individuals and couples, the story remains for the entire ensemble. And there are also the fluttering hands, a symbol of artistic director Remi Be’er creation. As expected from a leading dance company, every move is synchronised with military precision, a habitual trademark of the dance companies from this part of the world. In terms of music, I recognised Bjork, but Google says it’s also Elvis Presley, theatre and film music, pop to slow blues and a surprising bit of banjo vaudeville.

Kibbutz_Horses in the sky_FITS_1 — Kibbutz_Horses in the Sky_FITS

Kibbutz_Horses in the sky_FITS_2 — Kibbutz_Horses in the Sky_FITS

Kibbutz_Horses in the sky_FITS_3 — Kibbutz_Horses in the Sky_FITS

Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company means also a lifestyle – their origins are from the North part of Israeli, where an entire village was created for these artists since 1973. There, artists from all over the world are trained – some are selected for the KCDC, some are just passers by – but their training programme is known to be one of the most intense ones.

They are also touring in Europe, so maybe you can see somewhere else this outstanding show.