Looking Back While Looking Forward
By Kristi-Leigh Gresse
As I look back on the years spent buzzing around the entrance of the Sneddon Theatre, eagerly anticipating the rush of excitement that comes just before the doors to the auditorium swing open or listening to the creaking of joints backstage in anticipation of sharing our performance with the audience, I can’t help but reflect on all that the JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience has brought to the Durban arts community over the past 25 years. JOMBA! has become a hub for exploration and experimentation, where people from all corners of the globe can come together in this vibrant coastal city, rich in potential and steeped in history.
The highly anticipated JOMBA! festival commences with the celebrated Mamela Nyamza serving as the Legacy Artist for this year’s festivities. As an esteemed contemporary artist from South Africa, Nyamza’s ingenious and insightful work sets the tone for the festival’s introspective focus on history and heritage. Her work “HATCHED ENSEMBLE” (29 and 30 August) promises a captivating and thought-provoking piece, encouraging the audience to delve into their personal identity and explore their sense of belonging in a profound and meaningful way.
I am returning to JOMBA! in a new form, excited for the festival’s 25th Anniversary in 2023. At this significant point in JOMBA!’s history, I am acting as a discerning observer, analysing and reflecting on past and present performances and having the honour to highlight some of their most memorable moments. It’s remarkable how the themes of this year’s festival coincide with my role as a writer. This year’s festival theme, “(in)tangible heritages”, invites us to recognize what connects us at our core while appreciating the individual histories imprinted on our bodies. With a program packed with diverse artists from around the world, including, alongside South Africa, Germany, Finland, Netherlands, Mozambique, Brazil, Uganda, Romania, and the UK, we can expect a thrilling two-week festival season. As I perused the festival schedule, I discovered numerous pieces that explore the reimagining of history and heritage. These works each offer a unique perspective on their origins and how their journey is etched into their very being.
The body serves as a reflection of our identity and the obstacles we encounter in life. This year’s festival is heavily focused on exposing the (un)seen by showcasing artists like Joseph Tebandeke from Uganda, Unmute Dance Theatre from South Africa, and Introdans from the Netherlands. These talented performers, choreographers, and dance companies are challenging traditional notions of what it means to be a dancer while also breaking down ableist barriers that have traditionally excluded certain individuals from participating in dance.
The JOMBA! festival offers an exciting array of workshops, performances, panel discussions, and a digital arena showcasing many mesmerising screen dance works. This online platform allows dance enthusiasts to engage with dance, regardless of location, emphasizing the importance of making dance and art accessible.
In addition to promoting accessibility, JOMBA! offers various opportunities for local artists of all ages. These include the JOMBA! Youth Open Horizons and On the Edge program and a new addition to this year’s line-up featuring youth-focused and family-friendly performances from the Netherlands and Switzerland. These events aim to cultivate young audiences’ love of the arts (and dance in particular).
There’s this overwhelming sense of excitement in the air as if JOMBA! is beckoning us to unite and delve into the shared connections that tie us all together. As I eagerly await the festival’s official opening, I am excited to share this moment with fellow dance enthusiasts and experience the diverse range of performances and discussions that JOMBA! has to offer.
For the latest updates on the events happening at this year’s JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Festival, please visit https://jomba.ukzn.ac.za.
