Portfolio of Derida Dance Center, Sofia, 2018

DERIDA DANCE CENTER

CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY DANCE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. DERIDA DANCE CENTER 2. DERIDA STAGE 3. DANCE PORT DERIDA 4. INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS 5. ART RESIDENCY PROGRAM 6. SOCIAL FOCUS 7. DERIDA COMPANY 8. FOUNDERS

In 2004, choreographer Jivko Jeliazkov and art manager Atanas Maev joined efforts and created Derida Company dedicated to contemporary dance performance.

After running a theatre venue and its repertoire in Spain for 4 years, the dance company moved to Sofia, Bulgaria.

In 2010, efforts expanded in focus from producing performances to supporting the development of contemporary dance in Bulgaria by creating Derida Dance Center - the first independent center for contemporary dance in Bulgaria. Today, Derida Company is a permanent resident at Derida Dance Center and the two entities operate in a perfect synergy.

DERIDA DANCE CENTER

Derida Dance Center is located in the center of Sofia. It resides in a building once used as a chocolate factory and occupies an area of 500 square meters. The dance center has 3 studios, changing rooms and bathrooms, an office, a reception and a lobby area.

Derida Dance Center functions through two different legal entities – Derida Dance Ltd and ART LINK Foundation. This allows the venue to have a broad spectrum of activities necessary for fulfilling the mission of the organization.

Derida Dance Canter was recognized as a model example of cultural entrepreneurship and its business model was selected among 240 cases from all over the world and included as an example of successful cultural entrepreneurship in the postgraduate textbook “International Entrepreneurship in the Arts” by Lidiya Varbanova and issued by the publisher Routledge Derida Dance Center’s main areas of work include: • Performing venue “Derida Stage”

• Training and educational program in contemporary dance and ballet • International collaborations • Artistic Residency Program

• Social events and open classes in dance and sports

Derida Dance Center is one of the strategic partners of Sofia Municipality. Together we develop sustainable projects related to contemporary performance arts, in accordance with the priorities set out into the Startegy for Culture Development of Sofia Municipality (2013 – 2023). The residency programme, annually supported by Sofia Municipality, has helped over 50 independent projects of artists from all over the world, thus strengthening the European influence in this sector.

The top 20 young choreographers in Europe for 2017 will have the chance to perform in Sofia as part of the Spring Forward festival organised by Aerowaves, the largest European dance platform. This event is an example of the excellent collaboration between Sofia Municipality and the creative sector. Together they work towards the presentation of contemporary art at the highest level and actively take part in the cultural policies of Europe and the world.

Yordanka Fandakova, Mayor of Sofia

DERIDA STAGE PERFORMANCE VENUE

“Derida Stage” has 70 seats capacity and performing space of 8x13 meters. It is equipped with professional dance floor, lighting, multimedia and surround system.

Since its establishment “Derida Stage” has been recognized as a leading dance location in Sofia, showcasing “Derida Company” productions, as well as a wide variety of contemporary dance and experimental theatre performances.

One of the significant and most valuable projects to be presented on Derida Stage is the Bulgarian Dance Showcase - 21 - 23 March 2018, organized by Derida Dance Center showcasing independent Bulgarian contemporary dance productions in front of distinguished Spring Forward 2018 Festival Sofia guests.

“We’ve created Derida Dance Center as an instrument to accelerate the development of contemporary dance in Bulgaria. The most valuable thing a place like ours can do is support existing and emerging talent by creating the right conditions and producing performances of high quality.”

Atanas Maev, Co-Founder and CEO of Derida Dance Center

“Derida Dance Center is a great example for successful entrepreneurship in the arts. For the last five years, the company has grown from a toddler into a teen, full of ideas and energy. Run by motivated and talented professionals, Derida Dance Center has proven that a small art organization can make a big difference in such a conservative art environment dominated by state-supported art organizations.�

Nadia Zaharieva, Director, Programs For Arts and Culture, America for Bulgaria Foundation

“Derida Dance Center is one of the rare institutions in Sofia which are working on various levels with different audiences, formats and partners wherever dance and movement is concerned. It offers trainings, performances and meetings for professionals and amateurs. Unlike festivals, the DDC is present throughout the year, thus forming a constantly increasing support base for contemporary dance and encouraging young artists, choreographers and trainers to study, train and perform at the center.�

Enzio Wetzel, Director of Goethe-Institut, Bulgaria

DANCE PORT DERIDA TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS IN CONTEMPORARY DANCE AND BALLET

Dance PORT Derida

practical education for contemporary dance

Dance PORT Derida (DPD) is a one-year long educational and training program in contemporary dance. It has been developed by Derida Dance Center and financed by America for Bulgaria Foundation. The program has two Modules. Module 1 aims to identify emerging artists with potential of developing a successful career. Following a rigorous selection process, participants start intensive training with daily classes in contemporary dance, exploring different techniques and

working methods.They master interaction with video composition and stage lighting and gain knowledge in movement composition and key elements of building physical endurance.The progress is regularly presented at public presentations.

Module 2 provides an opportunity for professional dancers and freelancers to maintaing and expand their knowledge and skill with daily dance classes.

Participants in both modules take part in a variety of workshops led by choreographers from Bulgaria and abroad, providing them with a unique experience, exchange of knowledge and ideas, and opportunities for future artistic collaborations.

Dance PORT Derida has been recognized as the only program for Bulgarian dancers to develop their professional qualities through multicultural partnerships with international artists.

Dance PORT Derida

practical education for classical ballet

In 2016 Derida Dance Center enlarged the scope of Dance PORT Derida Program by including a new module for ballet dancers. Participants in this module can benefit from classes for various levels, as well as individual classes and support. “Dance PORT Derida marked the beginning of my journey into the world of contemporary dance. It was an extraordinary opportunity for me as I had no previous experience in the field, but just within a year I developed a very solid base of movement vocabulary through working with many local and international artists, and by having multiple opportunities to perform. The program is quite challenging but it brings together individuals with big passion and love for dance. We were continuously challenged to push our physical and mental limits which was an extremely valuable experience and we used it to learn and grow as artists at an accelerated pace.�

Ana Petkova, a program participant

Completed productions in the Dance PORT Derida program 2012 - Protocoop, choreographer Jivko Jeliazkov (video: bit.ly/protocoop) 2014 - Silent Weapon, choreographer Jivko Jeliazkov (video: bit.ly/silentweapon) 2016 - Metronome, choreographer Jivko Jeliazkov (video: bit.ly/metronom1) 2017 - Trauma, choreographer Marion Darova

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS

Derida Dance Center has been recognized as an active partner internationally for its involvement in projects and collaborations in Europe, USA, Israel, and Asia. These international activities makes Derida Dance Center an expert in the development and support of contemporary dance, developing expert reports, identifying the sector trends and needs worldwide, and research tools for support and subsidizing at a macro level.

Derida Dance Center is a member of: “Aerowaves- Dance Across Europe” – a European platform supporting emerging choreographers by providing opportunities for presenting their work and connecting them to producers www.aerowaves.org “GPS- Global Practice Sharing”- A NYC based platform in contemporary dance that aims to encourage partnerships between USA and Central East Europe. GPS is operated by the Movement Research NYC and supported by the Trust for mutual understanding NYC (TMU NYC) “ISPA- The international Society for the Performing Arts” - The international Society for the Performing Arts” www.ispa.org

AEROWAVES PLATFORM “Aerowaves - dance across Europe� is a European dance network for research and cross-border presentation started in late October 1996 as a response to the emergence of a generation of contemporary choreographers and companies. Today Aerowaves is represented by 47 Partners, Presenting Partners and Presenters in 35 different European countries.

Derida Dance is a Presenting Partner for Aerowaves. As such its role is to present emerging artists from Europe to the Bulgarian audience.

Derida Dance Center is organizer of Spring Forward 2018 festival, 23-25 March 2018, Sofia, Bulgaria by Aerowaves platform presenting European TOP20 performances.

EU COLLABORATIONS The project CIRCLE: CONNECTING DANCE PRACTICES IN EUROPE was coordinated by Derida Dance and Edno Magazine in cooperation with Pro Progressione Tanacsabo, Hungary and Dance Theatre “Aura”, Lithuania. The result of this broad cooperation was the performance “Average Speed of Answer” (ASA) by Derida Dance, choreographer Jivko Jeliazkov.

The project RIVERS OF EUROPE was carried out by cultural organizations from 8 different European countries and included the creation of a multi-genre performance that was presented in 30 European cities in the autumn of 2014. Jivko Jeliazkov was choreographer of the contemporary dance part of the performance.

The project IDENTITY.MOVE! created a transnational platform for theoretical and artistic research in contemporary dance and related performing arts. Within the framwork of the project, 12 artists from Eastern Europe conducted residencies in 4 locations throughout the continent: PACT Zollverein in Essen, State Choreographic School in Athens, Motus in Prague and Studio Slodownia +3 in Poznan.

COLLABORATIONS WITH ISRAEL Derida Dance Center works on developing strategies for collaboration between Bulgaria and Israel. Projects focus on multiple levels - impact of education, promotion of artists from both countries, and establishing long lasting interactions between Bulgarian and Israeli artists.

Since 2016, the organization is partnering with Machol Shalem Dance House, with Derida Dance Center awarding participation in Jerusalem International Dance Week and managing projects with educational and productionl impact.

In 2017, Derida Dance Center co-produced two projects with artists from Israel - “For Real” by Ofir Yudilevitch and “Aliza” by Ravid Abarbanel.

COLLABORATION WITH THE USA Derida Dance has worked with American organizations such as Global Practice Sharing (GPS), operated by Movement Research and supported by the Trust for Mutual Understanding, The Drama League NYC, ISPA on a number of projects related to exchange of experience between American and Bulgarian choreographers, dancers and art managers.

ART RESIDENCY PROGRAM

Since its founding Derida Dance Center had been supporting artists from all over the world enabling them to work on their projects.

Throughout the years the organization has managed to attract different artists and collaboration projects, making the residency program an example of best practices. Residents are provided with space and technical support, as well as accommodation and travel insurance.

In January 2014, Derida Dance Center Residency Program was recognized by the European Commission as a best practice for the exchange of artistic experience on the Old Continent.

Mรกrta Ladjรกnszki (HU)

Dance company De Stilte (NL)

„Everything was perfect about the organization and practical matters. A real support to a creative process. The communication was clear and fast, solving every problem that we had.”

Compagnia Colaps from Italy „The fact that many residents are working at the same time is a great opportunity to exchange ideas and meet new artists. Also it creates a powerful and inspiring atmosphere…”

Luc Reboullet from France

Lindsey Renee Derry (USA)

„During our residency DDC members were involved in several artistic projects and yet had time to calmly lead us through all matters. They answered all our questions and supported our creation in respectful and generous way. We are very thankful for the possibility and we have great respect for the efforts DDC makes to nourish the contemporary dance scene in Bulgaria with various influences by inviting international residents.�

Hygin Delimat and Martina Lorenc from Poland

SOCIAL FOCUS COMMUNITY AND OUTREACH WORK

The Derida Dance Center team has created a social network of people who enjoy physical activity and dancing. The center is offering classes open to the public in more than 15 dance genres and sports activities. „My work at Derida Dance Center is conscious happiness. I have the freedom to develop and experiment with my training system with the support of my colleagues. We are people who share the same goals and learn from each other.�

Marion Darova, athletic training instructor in Derida Dance Center

EXAMPLES ON SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Dancing Sofia Platform Project was launched in 2016, aiming to present dance as an opportunity for people to connect with each other. The project is focused on developing not only new audiences but also on social connections in urban areas. Dancing Sofia PlatformProject promotes dance organizations centers in Sofia by holding organizing open-air classes, discussions, dance competitions and collaboration with other art forms such as live music. Dancing Sofia Platform has been growing and has become and important event in the Sofia summer cultural calendar.

DERIDA COMPANY

CONTEMPORARY DANCE PRODUCTIONS BY A PERMANENT RESIDENT AT DERIDA DANCE CENTER

Since 2004 Derida Company has been involving foreign and Bulgarian artists in their productions.

Many of the projects have been completed as interactions between architects, visual artists, and composers. The productions have been performed at various festivals such as: The International Theater Festival “Varna Summer” One Dance Week One Architecture Week International Dance Festival Aura in Kaunas, Lithuania The International Dance Festival FLOT@ in Slovenia The European Dance Festival in Limassol ,Cyprus The Swiss International Festival TanZeit-ZeiTanz, INFANT 2012, Novi Sad, Serbia SISI Dance Week, Hungary

Age of Aquarius Festival, Bulgaria ACT Festival, Bulgaria The International Festival for Contemporary Art OFF EUROPA in Germany “Adults Forbidden” International Performing Arts Festival, Bulgaria Chutzpah! Festival, Canada Spring Forward 2018, Bulgaria Jerusalem International Dance Week, Israel

„Choreographer Jivko Jeliazkov is known for his pursuit of perfection. Video as a formative light and music as a structuring and driving element found in many of his productions characterize his unique approach.�

Off Europa Dance Festival, Germany

A multimedia solo dance performance focusing on the pursuit of a new identity that overcomes social and cultural boundaries. Such processes often accompany the modern nomad-artists in their search for opportunities to be creators and not products of the globalized world.

In the creation of the performance the team uses kinect technology creating an impressive synchronization between the dancer’s movements and the video projection on the floor.

“A performance made like a masterpiece of cake – with a few layers, the combination of which creates a unique taste.” Stand.bg

ARTeFACT

video:

bit.ly/ARTeFACT

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MONOCROSSING A multimedia duo dance performance based on the logic of adventure video games, where characters often go through different virtual spaces and challenges in a constant search for something that will help them fulfill their personal mission. “The impact of emotions, vision, music and the brilliant dance are more than satisfying for the senses.�

Stand.bg video:

bit.ly/monocrossing

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A detective magnifying glass through which spectators see the bulging shapes of communication chaos in a dynamic competitive environment. The development of technologies helps us exchange information. In the multimedia performance “Mayday” the exchange of messages is incessant. Despite this, the need for “emergency traffic” remains and drives the protagonists in their struggle to survive.

“A very intelligent view on the overall condition of our society in recent years.”

Kultura.bg

MAYDAY

video:

bit.ly/mayday-derida password:

A performance that plays with well-known conceptual pictures and dissolves the dividing lines of the various contents of consciousness – at the border where one idea ends and another starts.The spectator witnesses the manipulation of bodies in an attempt to form a wellplanned reality. However, the pseudo-creator fails to understand that life comes from the inside.

“I had my mind blown by this fantastic dance piece. It’s one of the most physical and emotional works I’ve seen this year.” Gabriel Shanks, director of The Drama League of New York

ZEN PLAY

video:

bit.ly/Zen-Play password:

S INNER

S INNER focuses on the existing archaic practice of people extracting resources with no regard for the pain and suffering they cause.

New technologies today force us to reconsider our practices and actions, allowing us to look beyond our vanity so important in our daily lives. This performance challenges our thinking and urges us to take a stance without imposing religious rules or norms. ““S INNER” develops an important new aspect – the social engagement of the performance: the animal fur that we encounter as an accessory to human clothing, here becomes a sign of behavior, a turning point in which we reflect on our role in society.” Elena Angelova, theatre critic video:

bit.ly/s-inner

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The performance has been awarded with the IKAR 2017 for best Bulgarian contemporary dance performance.

When love is not an infatuation, but a problem that requires a solution. When love is a conflict between two individuals. When love is a personality crisis. Then it is “F 63.9” – a diagnosis, a situation, a state of mind and body.

Searching and finding oneself through love is linked to the troubling need to share the pain of the present and overcome the past. Is love capable of taking an angelic mission, a sacrifice, in order to disarm and transform angst? Or is it simply a virus that undermines the body and the mind? “F 63.9” seeks to answer these questions though a psycho-physical examination of love as a form of destruction and transformation.

F63.9

“There’s no two ways about it – this is the season’s best physical performance! How and when does love turn into a white, sterile, hospital-like environment? In “F63.9” movements are exclusively smooth and slow, or fast and strong, which resonates the emotional charge in the audience alongside the music – the third invisible performer.”

Svetlomira Stoyanova, theatre critic video: bit.ly/F63-9 password:

F63.9 by Jivko Jeliazkov is the first Bulgarian performance selected for Aerowaves TOP 20 and will take part in the Spring Forward 2018 festival in Sofia.

FLAPS Hiding in piles of memorabilia objects one can relive their whole life. One could feel all the emotions they have gone through, could be happy or sad while only standing among these piles in a small room… and that could be enough for them.

“The face is present as a borderline, as a function of the body between dream and awakeness; between living and non-living matter. Closed eyes seem to suppress consciousness, performers act in a specially constructed state between trance, stupor, dream.” Elena Angelova, theatre critic video:

bit.ly/Flapse

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ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

FOUNDERS

JIVKO JELIAZKOV

Jivko Jeliazkov holds a dual degree in Drama Theater and dance theater from the Bulgarian National Academy for Theater and Film Arts.

His passion for contemporary performing art took him to Melbourne, Australia, where he specialized in Choreography in Contemporary Dance at the Victorian College of Arts. Since 2013, he is a chairman of the Guild for Contemporary Performing Arts, part of the Union of

Artists in Bulgaria. He has directed and choreographed over 25 performances, many of which in international cooperation. In 2015, Jivko Jeliazkov received the Sofia Municipality Award for contribution to the development of contemporary artistic genres in Bulgaria.

The performance S INNER by Jivko Jeliazkov was awarded with IKAR by the Union of the Bulgarian actors for best performance of 2017.

His performance F63.9 has been selected as one of TOP20 performances of Europe in the frame of Spring Forward 2018 by Aerowaves platform.

ART MANAGER AND PRODUCER

ATANAS MAEV

Atanas has studied Economics in Karlsruhe Technical University and Plovdiv University and, since 2002, actively works in the field of cultural management. Thanks to his commitment and efforts, Derida Dance Center has been recognized as a reliable and resourceful partner by Bulgarian cultural institutions, sponsoring organizations and international cultural organizations and platforms for contemporary performing arts. As a result, Derida Dance Center has participated in numer-

ous international projects and co-productions and has additionally supported many independent dance and theater productions by Bulgarian and foreign artists.

In 2016, Atanas Maev was selected as one of the ISPA Global Fellows among more than 160 young arts leaders from all over the world.

He is the Bulgarian representative and takes part as a board member between 2016 and 2018 in the largest contemporary dance platform “Aerowaves - dance across Europe�.

DERIDA DANCE CENTER 245 Slivnitsa Blvd.

1202 Sofia, Bulgaria Operations Manager: +359876950008 email: office@derida-dance.com Projects Manager: +35986321451 email: projects@derida-dance.com General Manager: +35988487438 email: admin@derida-dance.com www.derida-dance.com @deridadc and @deridacompany instagram: derida_dance fb:

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