UP Event Review: 50 Years of Kenya- Finland Diplomatic Relations Marked by The Trail
In the early nineties, dancer-choreographer Tero Saarinen left Finland to spend time working and studying with dance teachers in Japan and Nepal. He finally set up his own company in 1996 and since then has built up a wide following.
“I believe in dance. Dance can build trust between people. If everyone would dance, the world would be a different place right now. I also see the business value of dance. We built up our own audience in Finland by bringing dance to the people. As Tero Saarinen Company we have become an internationally valued ‘export product’. TRAIL is aimed at celebrating the talent of Kenyan dancers. We try to make a contribution to the buildup of audience for dance in Kenya.” Tero Saarinen.
Fans speak breathlessly of his work and last week, the Finnish Embassy invited friends, diplomats, the press among others for the grand opening of Trail—an experience in which the choreographer integrates movement, theater, music, costumes and light, building a cinematic atmosphere.
“Trail is a collaboration between Tero Saarinen Company and local organization Ghetto Exposed, supported by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland as well as the Finnish Embassy in Nairobi. The project is part of the 50-year anniversary celebrations of the diplomatic relations between Kenya and Finland.” Noted Finnish Ambassador, Tarja Fernandez.
Dance creates a shared experience—an undeniable space where a diverse community of audience and artists connect to a common power. Experiences and emotions are inscribed into the body and perceivable through it. This principle gives an opportunity to restore the truthfulness in communication which, as the choreographer notes, has been lost with the ever changing technology in the world.
“Words lie, body movements on the other hand do not. As a choreographer I seek honesty in body movements. As a communication medium, dance restores the natural state of communication; one devoid of sarcasm and irony,” says Tero Saarinen
Last Friday evening, the crowd at Kenya National Theatre witnessed Saarinen’s collaboration across a range of disciplines and curiosity about other art forms.
The thirteen dancers scouted by Ghetto Exposed got to find some trail of paths on a stage that flickers with shadows—through an engaging dance that uses light, visuals and body movements. African contemporary dance, which is overturning the existing global concept of comtemporary dance, was also key in the performance. The project is only the beginning of how Kenya can bring new life to dance.
“The dancers were scouted from different parts in line with the 50 years of Finnish-Kenya good diplomatic relations but also to show the co-existence that Kenyan tribes can achieve,” Mike Wamaya, co-founder of Ghetto Exposed explained. Ghetto Exposed started off in 2011 training disadvantaged and talented youth to become professionals in dance or photography. By developing their talents to a high level Ghetto Exposed offered these motivated and talented young people a better future.
“I am grateful to the Embassy and Ghetto Exposed,” Saarinen was not shy of pouring his heart out during the cocktails session.
The audience gave a standing ovation to the performance before leaving the theatre in search of their own trails.
Words may still rule supreme but the showcase once again proved dance has a strong foothold.
