Co-creation in Contemporary Dance: Embracing Cultural Diversity as a Strength 

The practices were adapted to consider the different cultural backgrounds of the participants and to allow them to remain connected to their identity. It was important for the choreographers to consider issues such as respect for different relationships to physical contact, thus ensuring respectful practice, inclusivity, and personal comfort.

In Athens, participants came from diverse cultural backgrounds with differing comfort levels around physical touch. Choreographers adjusted their practice and creatively integrated these adjustments into the performance. For instance, the use of space between participants was strategically managed to respect cultural sensitivities regarding personal space while enhancing artistic expression. Such adaptations added a unique and meaningful dimension to the choreography. Culturally and religiously significant outfit was respected and preserved during the performance, reinforcing a sense of personal identity.

Cultural habits related to gestures and body language were also explored, respected, and used as a creative resource.

Incorporating local and shared cultural elements helped participants find common ground and inspired the creative process.

In Athens, the practice thoughtfully integrated the diverse cultural influences of the participants. Some expressed a desire to enter the state of dance through traditional Chinese dance, urban dance forms, and spiritual dances, which was welcomed by the choreographer. Given the highly diverse nature of the group, ancient Greek culture was used as a common reference point, providing a unifying theme that resonated with everyone in their current location. This approach allowed participants to bring their unique cultural backgrounds into the practice while finding common ground through the shared exploration of Greek cultural elements. The blend of diverse dance traditions with a common cultural theme enriched the overall practice and performance, fostering a sense of unity and mutual respect.

In Briançon, during the exploration of the theatre rooms, participants shared imaginaries related to these spaces—expressed through verbal or bodily communication—drawing on their varied life experiences, some of which were culturally influenced.

Moreover, with mountain culture omnipresent in Briançon—a small town nestled among towering peaks—participants were encouraged to view the mountainous landscape as a source of creative inspiration. This environment, familiar to some, served as a distinct cultural marker, contrasting with the frame of reference of participants from flatter regions.

Throughout the workshop in Karlovac, elements such as song, poetry, celebratory gatherings, rhythmic music, and a playful spirit were central to shaping the creative atmosphere. The processes of co-creation, sharing, exploration, and investigation of familiar rhythms and poems encouraged participants to engage deeply and brought a delightful sense of playfulness to the experience. This blending of artistic forms and collaborative inquiry fostered an environment where creativity could flourish, enabling participants to connect both with the material and with one another on a meaningful level.

Childhood games, native languages, ways of greeting, personal dreams, and stories served as creative material, helping participants feel seen and heard. This personal and cultural input enriched the choreography with emotional depth and authenticity.

In Sitia, choreographers engaged participants by using their personal backgrounds and collective diversity as a source of strength in the creative process. Recalling childhood games, incorporating different languages and body expressions (such as greeting gestures), and weaving dreams into the creation helped build a safe space where participants could flourish and gain confidence through their differences. Inviting participants to draw on their memories, identities, and aspirations during the creative process proved to be an effective strategy for co-creation in this specific setting. Cultural differences, which might have initially appeared as barriers, gradually dissolved during the creative process, becoming elements of togetherness. Indeed, channelling individuals’ dreams and hopes within a creative framework reveals the shared aspects of human nature, turning perceived obstacles into tools, and ultimately into a collective strength for the group.

In Karlovac, each participant brought their own intimate understanding of the movement tasks, infusing personal cultural references into the work. These individual contributions, whether expressed through movement styles or storytelling, enriched the overall concept and final performance, adding layers of meaning and depth.

Language barriers became creative opportunities. Non-verbal communication and body language, supported by trust- and relaxation-building exercises like blind walks and games, enabled deeper connections and fostered collaboration across cultural and linguistic divides.

In Briançon, the language barrier was perceived somewhat as a strength, encouraging participants to be more attentive to what others expressed nonverbally. This led some to enter more quickly into a state of body language and dance creation.

In Karlovac, language barriers were occasionally overcome through translation of instructions, making the co-creation process and collaborative approach adaptable to participants from diverse backgrounds. This effort was further supported by the organisational team, who ensured effective communication and inclusivity throughout the workshop.

In Sitia, the predominant use of body language, combined with an atmosphere of playful creativity and light-hearted interaction, proved to be relevant approaches when aiming to co-create in this specific setting.

In Athens, the use of gestures and research into common body languages and global meanings facilitated effective communication and collaboration across diverse cultural backgrounds. Cultural differences in gender relations were respected.

Co-creation with the population thrives in inclusive environments where emotions are welcome and an egalitarian, fluid structure is created, fostering equal participation. Participants are empowered to propose ideas, reflect critically, and actively shape the artistic outcome, fostering a strong sense of ownership and shared purpose.

In Sitia, a safe and democratic space was cultivated through collective decision-making and playful experimentation. Participants were encouraged to voice their feelings and ideas freely, and this emotional openness generated a strong group dynamic.

In Karlovac, the choreographic process embraced shared authorship, with participants influencing the themes, movements, and even the structure of the performance. This collaborative spirit nurtured a deep sense of belonging and co-ownership.

In Briançon, differences in expectations around structure and time management were expressed in the feedback, some participants were more accustomed to clearly defined instructions and strict scheduling, while others were more familiar with open-ended and flexible methods. To address this, the facilitators created a balance between structured guidance and space for creative exploration, allowing everyone to engage meaningfully and comfortably.

When cultural diversity is embraced with care and creativity, it profoundly enriches the co-creation process in contemporary dance. It transforms difference into connection, and individual experience into collective expression—allowing contemporary dance to become a space of dialogue, belonging, and shared imagination.

As a result of these conclusions, the video training kit has been developed based on several key ideas:

Contact between participants as a source of movement creation and self-expression, with added value for group cohesion:
• Exploring physical contact in continuity with the fundamentals of contemporary dance
• Using indirect contact to avoid physical touch while exploring alternative forms of connection

Movement creation, inspiration, and creative expression drawn from everyday references:
• Incorporating daily gestures
• Expressing through emotions
• Engaging with everyday spaces

Movement creation, inspiration, and creative expression drawn from shared or diverse cultural references:
• Drawing on artistic references
• Exploring collective memory (i.e. intangible cultural heritage)
• Using common cultural objects

In addition, the video training kit includes:

Choreographers’ feedback and perspectives:
• Insights into the fundamentals of contemporary dance
• Reflections from each choreographer on their experience, including how it impacted and enriched them personally

Participants’ feedback on their experience:

• • Reflections on their feelings following the experience

• • Thoughts on the creative opportunity, how it met their expectations, and the personal changes it brought about