KoresponDance festival to bring street dance and circus to central Prague

The 2023 KoresponDance Festival will return to Žďár nad Sázavou from July 13-16, but a special advance event will kick off the festival in Prague on Tuesday. A vibrant fusion of street dance and contemporary circus will inaugurate the 11th edition of the international festival of dance, physical theater, and new circus in the Czech capital on June 27.

The one-day Prague event will take place at the Pragerovy kostky building, the headquarters of Prague's CAMP - Center for Architecture and Urban Planning, and pay homage to the principles and vision of renowned Czech architect Karel Prager.

The theme of this year's KoresponDance festival is "Architecture and Landscape," exploring the intersection of movement and art to give rise to new artistic forms. Renowned street dance performers Kristián Mensa and Ruben Chi, circus group Circumstances, and dance and juggling duo Compagnie Monad will showcase their talent.

Audiences can expect a trio of captivating performances, freestyle dance gatherings, workshops, and outdoor activities. The festival will begin at 2 p.m. and continue into the evening. Admission is free to the one-day Prague event.

Next month, the main part of the KoresponDance Festival will then move to Žďár nad Sázavou from July 13 to 16. This segment of the festival will celebrate the architectural legend Jan Blažej Santini in various locations across the city, including its castle, Zelená Hora, and Dolní hřbitov. Tickets for the Žďár nad Sázavou festival can be purchased in advance through the GoOut network.

In Prague on Tuesday, a performance by Compagnie Monad (pictured at top) will enchant spectators. Their dance seamlessly merges architecture with movement, complementing the vertical and horizontal lines reminiscent of Prager's style.

Compagnie Monad, a duet of dancers and jugglers, creates a mesmerizing experience inspired by the Sufi whirling dervish dance. The rotating dancers and the audience themselves are drawn into a trance-like state, transcending time and space.

The festival's opening day in Prague will also feature a workshop by the iconic street dancer Kristián Mensa, known as Mr. Kriss, who will introduce the art of dance through his workshop. Later, attention will shift to the Open Stage, where movement artist and choreographer Ruben Chi will demonstrate how architecture and street dance can harmonize on stage.

Belgian circus group Circumstances will bring their physical acrobatic show EXIT to the festival. Set amidst a grand installation with revolving walls and floating doors, the acrobats will navigate through and interact with the space, captivating the audience with a mesmerizing performance.

Dance will become a living expression of architectural beauty at this year's KoresponDance Festival, which will celebrate landmarks in both Prague and Žďár nad Sázavou. For tickets and program details, check the official KoresponDance website and follow the festival on social media.