Poets of the City (Vitka - Blatný - Jan)

Dance-theatre triple bill inspired by three extraordinary personalities of Czech cultural and political history: Jan Palach, the Czech student who immolated himself in protest against communism in 1969; Czech composer Vítězslava Kaprálová and Czech poet Ivan Blatný .
Accompanied by workshops lead by the performers on 30th and 31st January.

Choreography: Martin Dvořák (CZ) + Nir Ben Gal (IL)
Dance: Martin Dvořák, Irene Bauer, Alena Pajasová

Vitka
This female solo is shaped by Czech composer Vítězslava Kaprálová’s music, specifically her piano compositions, April Preludes. This piece is dedicated to one of the most talented Czech composers and conductors, who died aged 25 in Montpellier, France.
What remains is to find good with open eyes and to toughen through evil; to be grateful for the beauty that surrounds us, even for the pain ... VK

Blatný
This piece is centred on Czech poet Ivan Blatný´s own poems, taking its inspiration from spoken word as a tool for sharing emotions and evocating images. The creative circle comprises three parts – word-music-motion – and their mutual inspiration and interaction. The work is dedicated to Blatný (1919-1990) who emigrated to England in 1948 and would live out the rest of his life in psychiatric clinics. He never returned to his country.

Art is not burdened by responsibility and could care less for its role. It is simply here, a reality equal to life and just as incomprehensible and surrounded by the same darkness; yet it brings us moments of relief even without attempting to turn on the light of so called certainties in the boundless sea of the dark and the inexplicable. IB

Jan
Our history is full of violence and resistance to oppression. Is violence the only way to fight the repression? Is it possible to look for a different way? A lot of times the violence, oppression and resistance can be found in my face, in my body, my intent and not as an external factor like in a cruel regime or occupying power. With dance, let’s try to find ways to love without resistance. Move without suppression. This piece is dedicated to the memory of Jan Palach, the Czech student who immolated himself in protest against communism in Prague, 1969.

"People must fight against the evil they feel equal to at that moment." JP