In Côte d’Ivoire, since Friday February 26, the second edition of the Grands Ateliers de la danse (GADA) has been launched. They will be held in Mondoukou, near Grand-Bassam, until Sunday evening. A festival directed by the Ivorian choreographer Jean-Paul Méhansio, whose goal is to open the public to the art of dance in all its facets.
With our correspondent in Abidjan, Sidy Yansane
It is at the Bushman Café, bar-restaurant and cultural venue in the town of Cocody, that the Grands Ateliers de la danse open the ball for this second edition.
This Saturday evening is only a taste of the festival which will take place all weekend, an important meeting with the public of Abidjan for Jean-Paul Méhansio, choreographer and artistic director of the event.
” Whether it’s dance, dance and sport, Afro Peps that I myself give, modern jazz classes, Afro-jazz or even Body acceptance, the enhancement and pride of our body through movement, are in link with our tradition. So it’s: dance today, what about ? »
From traditional to contemporary through urban spectacle, the trademark of the young artists of the Karismatik Project troupe, with the lack of popular cultural places in Abidjan, the dancer Rod Karismatik is delighted with the creation of the GADA.
” To see that there are festivals that bring together all genres of dance – whether urban dance, traditional dance – and putting them together is something beautiful, he confides. Beyond the shows, there is also learning with courses, with conferences, with Workshops that allow dancers not only to learn, but also to go a little further, to go beyond beyond dance, in research. Educating yourself as a dancer is very important. »
The GADAs continue all weekend at the Cocoteraie des arts, in Mondoukou.