UP Events: Finnish Choreographer Tero Saarinen Brings The Power of Dance to Nairobi
“I believe everyone can dance and should dance. It is therapeutic,” renowned Finnish choreographer Tero Saarinen said in an exclusive interview at The Kenya National Theatre.
Performers and audience are set to engage in a remarkable dance performance “TRAIL” by renowned Finnish choreographer Tero Saarinen on the 12th and 13th of December at the Kenya National Theatre. This will be a spectacular show that draws together contemporary dance, classical ballet, African-based and urban vernacular movements. Trail is 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.
Trail is an experience in which the choreographer integrates movement, theater, music, costumes and light, building a cinematic atmosphere.
Leading us to a closed room where the dancers were rehearsing, Saarinen expressed optimistic and joy working with the youths.
“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,” Tero Saarinen.
The production is a collaboration between his company, Tero Saarinen Company and The Ghetto Exposed.
His productions have captivated world audiences in over 30 countries. Saarinen’s rich choreographic style is characterized by multidimensional artistry - expressive dancers, live music, and striking visuals. His distinctive movement language has been described as “organic” and “an inventive mixture of grotesqueness and beauty”.
Ghetto Exposed started off in 2011 training disadvantaged and talented youth to become professionals in dance or photography. Mike Wamaya is the co-founder of the company alongside his wife.
By developing their talents to a high level, Ghetto Exposed offered these motivated and talented young people a better future. During the training programs the students received technical and artistic training, besides classes in entrepreneurship and social skills. In 2014 the dance and photography students graduated and Ghetto Exposed entered a period with short-term projects for dancers or photographers, such as the collaboration with Tero Saarinen Company.
Not new to Nairobi, Tero Saarinen is back in Nairobi to stage a new production: Trail, after his first production Hunt back in 2013.
When pushed about the meaning of Trail, he adds, “We all make our own destinies. What we do is never completely new; we build upon the ancient trails. With this production I hope to learn from traditions, different cultural backgrounds as well as rhythms. TRAIL is also about solitude versus the group. What is the place of an individual in a team? When you meet others do you fit in or do you try to find your way alone? Do you lose your identity or hold on to it?”
