Soon to be seen at ZID Theatre
HISTORIA: A Journey through Cultures and Time
HISTORIA is choreographer and dancer Issam Zemmouri's first dance solo. With a background in dance from Morocco and France, Zemmouri has been a regular at ZID Theatre in the Netherlands for over five years now. He was also an active participant in the FATE training programme (Future Academy on Tour in Europe), aimed at creative newcomers with a refugee past and/or migration background.
In HISTORIA, Zemmouri takes us on a personal journey through the Mediterranean, exploring different cultures, languages and civilisations. With powerful poetic images and an energetic dance language, the quest for liberation is at the heart of this journey through past, present and future.
The performance, which was shown as a work-in-progress at ZID's ExploreZ festival in late 2020, premiered at Amsterdam Fringe Festival 2021 and then toured Portugal and Germany.
HISTORIA Revisited: A Personal Odyssey
This revamped version of HISTORIA focuses on Issam's personal journey. The show asks the question, "Can I be myself?" as the traveller faces obstacles and rules of the game set by others. Each step directly affects the situations he finds himself in.
HISTORIA unfolds at a fast pace, accompanied by music from North Africa and the Middle East. Like a modern Odysseus, the main character goes through various adventures, always searching for his personal truth behind symbols, norms and values.
HISTORIA Collection: Where Dance and Painting Come Together
Concurrently with the performance, an exhibition of paintings by Issam Zemmouri will be on show at gallery DE BOUWPUT. These works, created during the development of HISTORIA, are a visual translation of his mesmerising dance performance.
"When dance and painting come together, a completely new language is created," says Zemmouri. The HISTORIA Collection features a series of paintings inspired by scenes from the dance performance, with each painting representing a unique moment and the distinctive drama of HISTORIA.
About Issam Zemmouri
Issam Zemmouri is a choreographer and dancer with a unique style that combines contemporary dance, physical expression and strong visual elements. With his particular physical and visual language, he constantly transforms space and character into a surprising experience. He excels in working with objects that challenge the spectator's perception.
Through dance, Zemmouri addresses sensitive issues where words fall short. Despite his visual impairment developed over the years, he goes all out to fulfil his ambitions.
Practical information
HISTORIA Collection - Exhibition
- Opening: Tuesday 9 July, 5pm
- Location: De Bouwput, Ferdinand Huyckstraat 74, 1061 HW Amsterdam
HISTORIA Revisited - Performance
- Date: Saturday, July 13, 8pm (start performance)
- Afterword: 21:00
- Location: ZID Theatre, Roos van Dekamaweg 1, 1061 HR Amsterdam
For more information and tickets, visit www.zidtheater.nl.
Credits: Concept, choreography and dance: Issam Zemmouri | Artistic advice: Christian Guerematchi
Photo: The Photographer / Greg Litwin
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