Urban Dansdagen | Creole

In Suriname we speak Sranan Tongo – a language of everyone and no one at the same time. A composite language, created from the 22 languages spoken here. It goes so deep, that we can’t even think in just one language. Together with a population consisting of Creoles, Hindus, Chinese, Javanese, Indigenous, Jews and Dutch, a 'true Surinamese' is not easy to define.

In CREOLE, choreographer Shailesh Bahoran explores the concept of creolization by immersing himself in the culture of his native country. The fertile soil of Suriname has been the backdrop of endless exchange between diverse cultures for centuries. Customs and traditions from Africa, America, Asia and Europe have merged over the years into a powerful culture full of energy and connection.

Shailesh works with dancers who reflect the versatile background of Surinamese culture, artistically, ethnically and culturally. In an energetic and compelling dance performance, they use the concept of creolization as an artistic starting point. Equipped with the DNA of their ancestors and an open mind, they investigate the interaction that brought them together, the impact it has on the present and the endless possibilities in the future.

CREOLE was made possible with the support of the Fonds Podiumkunsten, the Municipality of Utrecht, and DutchCulture.