Dublin Dance Festival’s Artistic Director Jazmin Chiodi tells us about this year’s programme, which will be running 14-25 May. For further information see:  Dublin Dance Festival

Jazmin Chiodi – Photo by Alex Iseli

When did you first start your love affair with Dance? What age were you?

My passion for contemporary dance, creativity, and curiosity for movement as a medium of expression started at the very young age of 5 years old. By the age of 12, I knew I wanted to become a professional dancer. My career began in my hometown of Buenos Aires during complex years post-dictatorship. Dance became a medium of expression that made me feel strong, free, and fearless. After graduating in Buenos Aires, I pursued an international career, first in France, and later here in Ireland, where I developed most of my work as a dance artist, choreographer, teacher, festival director, and curator. My interest in creating new ways of reaching people with the art form of dance has led me from being on stage to being on the ‘other side’, curating programmes to support artists’ work and bring exciting, daring performances to Dublin Dance Festival, making it an international reference for Dance in Europe and an event not to be missed in the very busy calendar of the Irish cultural offer.

You took over the role of Artistic Director of the Dublin Dance Festival in difficult circumstances during the pandemic. Do you feel like you’ve battled through adversity and are out the other side?

Yes, we have navigated through the challenges posed by the pandemic, but we now face a new set of obstacles. We are witnessing a complex world where division, disembodiment, fear, and isolation persist, presenting different but equally disheartening challenges. However, I believe that dance, with its ancestral power to channel feelings and express emotions beyond words, can bring people together to face complex issues. This exploration motivates me to seek out artists from around the world to bring brave, creative, inspiring, poetic, and fearless works to Ireland. So far, audiences have responded incredibly well to this curatorial vision.

When did you start planning the contents of the 2024 festival?

The planning process is an intricate one that begins years prior to the opening of the festival. Some conversations with artists started as far back as 2021. For certain works, discussions or video submissions may begin earlier, but final decisions are often made after witnessing live performances. Each edition of the festival has a particular curatorial thread that shapes the programme, sometimes starting to take shape a year or even two years in advance. For example, this year’s strong presence of diverse voices and artists from hip-hop and street dance cultures started early in 2023, and I am already planning for 2025 and 2026.It is exciting to see the Festival in the Bord Gais Energy Theatre. Can you tell us a little about the production 13 Tongues?

It’s indeed very exciting! The Bord Gais Energy Theatre provides the perfect venue to showcase ambitious and large-scale dance performances. We are thrilled to collaborate once again with Stephen Faloon and the BGET team to bring Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan to Ireland for the second time. “13 Tongues” is a stunning piece that takes audiences on a journey through human relationships, bridging traditions and modernity. Director and choreographer Chen Tsung-Lung’s colourful and poetic expression of life in the traditional village of Bangka is brought to life on stage by a group of astonishing and incredibly skilled performers. I had the pleasure of seeing the work last year in Barcelona, where I was transported to the vibrant streets and immersed in the sounds, colours, and textures of the setting. It’s truly a sensory treat and a show not to be missed!

It is always lovely to see the wealth of Irish talent at the Festival. Are there any productions you’re particularly looking forward to?

This year, we are proud to present a rich programme of works by Ireland-based artists across various venues and settings. It’s challenging to choose, as each work offers a unique proposition. However, I’m particularly excited about Mufutau ‘Junior’ Yusuf’s premiere of “Impasse.” I witnessed a first draft of the work in Lyon during our residency exchange with Maison de la Danse, and it already demonstrated a rare sensitivity in exploring the complexities of identity, the black body, and culture.

Additionally, “Night Dances”, Emma Martin’s debut at The Abbey Theatre is not to be missed. Emma brings together an eclectic cast of dancers to invite us to connect with movement in its rawest form, offering an invitation to find joy and liberation in the face of current challenges. “Bench #3,” commissioned by CoisCéim Dance Theatre and choreographed and performed by the talented Sibéal Davitt, invites audiences outdoors to connect with the city and its canals, premiering at Grand Canal Dock free of charge.

I also recommend exploring the short works presented by Luke Murphy, Amir Sabra, and Junk Ensemble in the Originate Platform Programme. Finally, don’t miss the premiere of Laura Murphy’s film, “This Is It | 8 Dance Portraits” offering an intimate journey into the lives of female dance artists sharing the intricate balance of a dancer’s life.

Any tips for people who want to dip their toes into the world of dance during the festival? Where is a good place to start?

You don’t need to be an expert or a dancer to enjoy dance performances. Follow your instincts and curiosity! Here are some tips to help guide you, especially if it’s your first time:

CARCAÇA by Portuguese choreographer Marco da Silva Ferreira has just been shortlisted for The Sadler’s Wells Rose International Dance Prize – dance’s answer to the Turner prize. CARCAÇA, which will be on the Abbey stage, offers a powerful, rhythmic, and colourful reflection on our sense of community and the challenges we face in the future.

Olivier Dubois’s show, “My Body of Coming Forth By Day” promises a fun and joyful experience, as the audience actively participates in creating the show alongside this iconic French choreographer.

For lovers of hip-hop and urban culture (but not only!), explore the works of Botis Seva with the award-winning “BLKDOG” at the Abbey; “Cellule” by magnetic French dance artist Nach, an explosive and captivating work rooted in the fierce intensity of Krump; and the special hip-hop night where local artists meet renowned French hip-hop group Collectif FAIR-E for a unique experience that culminates in a DJ set where audiences and dancers can all join in until late into the night!