Moving in November Festival 2016

Moving in November is the oldest and most significant contemporary dance festival in the Helsinki area. The festival, founded in 1986, brings international performances to Finland and instigates dance discourse with its cutting-edge programming.  Artistic directors of the festival are Mikael Aaltonen and Ari Tenhula.

Moving in November Festival 2016 was organised 28.10.–5.11.2016. Festival programme consisted of six dance works, including one premiere, two discussion events, and opening and closing parties. Venues included Kiasma Theatre, Stoa, Media Centre Lume and Zodiak – Center for New Dance in Helsinki, and Kanuti Gildi Saal in Tallinn.

International artists included Omar Rajeh and Maha Group with Zaafaran, Dana Michel with Mercurial George, Jaamil Olawale Kosoko with #negrophobia, Alessandro Sciarroni with UNTITLED_I will be there when you die and Lea Moro with (b)reaching stillness. Festival coproduced the premiere by choreographer Eeva Muilu.

Festival catalogue included a Finnish translation of André Lepecki’s essay 9 variations on things and performance. This essay was translated by docent Juhani Vähämäki. It was the third consecutive year where Moving in November contributed to the philosophical framing and discussion on dance by publishing a topical text in the Finnish language. During the festival week, a discussion on the theme was arranged together with  Nuoren Voiman Liitto.

2016 was also the 30-year anniversary of Moving in November. For this anniversary year, the festival wanted to highlight the importance of its Finnish premiere works. Texts by the artists of the premieres in the recent years were commissioned for the  festival catalogue. A festival brunch was also organised to promote dialogue between the artists and audience.

Festival attendance was total 1843. Ticketed performances had 1605 spectators, which was a 11% increase from the previous year. In total, the performances had an attendance rate of 86%.

Production partners for 2016 were Stoa, Zodiak – Center for New Dance, Kiasma Theatre, NU Performance Festival and Nuoren Voiman Liitto. The festival was supported and made possible by the Ministry of Education and Culture, the City of Helsinki, Finnish Cultural Foundation, Jenny ja Antti Wihuri foundation, Goethe-Institut Finnland, and Pro Helvetia.

The organisation behind Moving in November Festival is Tanssiareena ry. Arts Management Helsinki was the executive producer of the festival. Producers were Isabel González and Outi Järvinen.