Dance dreams from all over the world: Young talents conquer Dresden!

Dance dreams from all over the world: Young talents conquer Dresden!

In Dresden, the cradle of expressive dance, everything revolves around the passion for dance. Young dancers from all over the world come here, often as young as ten, to follow their dreams and dedicate themselves to dance. They leave their home to experience discipline, ambition and community while facing the challenges of adulthood and self-discovery. The documentary “The World Dances in Dresden” accompanies these passionate artists over several months and provides insights into their rehearsals, lessons and the emotional ups and downs they experience on their journey. The great history of this institution is closely linked to its founder, the influential dancer Gret Palucca, who was born in 1902 and became a defining figure in expressive dance MDR reported.

At the tender age of 18, Palucca was one of the first students of the legendary Mary Wigman. Despite adverse circumstances, such as the lack of musical accompaniment at the audition, she convinced her teacher and danced in Wigman's famous group until 1924. Her own talent was evident in her bouncy and goblin-like dance style, which was filled with humor and irony. In 1925 she founded her own dance school in Dresden, which was known for its high standards and combined classical ballet with expressive dance - a style that had already gained a foothold in the dance scene at the time.

Palucca's indefatigability and her legacy

But Palucca was known not only for her artistic achievements, but also for her tireless commitment to dance and dance education. Despite a ban on performing in the 1930s by the National Socialists because of her ancestry, she remained active and even improvised at private dance evenings. After the Second World War, when her school was run by the state due to political changes, she managed to regain her footing and reform education. She placed high demands on her students and stuck to her idea of ​​dance as an expression of freedom and character.

The school developed considerably and was a matter close to her heart until her death in 1993. Even after her retirement, Palucca continued to work in an advisory role well into her old age. Expressive dance, as pioneered by Palucca and her contemporaries, encompasses a wide range of movements and expressions that allow for a deeper sense of exploration of the human body and emotions Wikipedia out of here.

The influence of expressive dance

The history of expressive dance is rich and diverse. The influence of figures such as Isadora Duncan and Mary Wigman shaped the area. Expressive dance reached its peak in Germany around 1930, but declined in importance in the 1950s. Nevertheless, the art form remained alive, and many dance groups draw on this style to develop innovative and contemporary choreography. Young dancers are increasingly returning to solo expressive dance and are looking for their own path in artistic expression.

Enthusiasm for dancing seems to be timeless, and the Palucca University remains a place where this passion comes to life with all the ups and downs of artistic creation. In this distinctive atmosphere, people not only dance, but also dream and work towards a better future - in keeping with Gret Palucca's vision.