The performance series explores the rediscovery of forgotten histories through a symbolic journey from the future back to the past. Each piece takes place in a site that once held strong communal meaning but has since been abandoned or forgotten: the chimney in Trbovlje, the coal mine in Velenje, Fountain Mladost in Belgrade, an abandoned swimming pool in Sarajevo, and a green meadow in Svetivinčenat. Through dance, these spaces are reactivated and their stories brought back to life.
The dramaturgy was developed through community workshops with local residents, whose memories and stories inspired the performances. Alongside this research, dance workshops with young dancers and creators served as a platform for sharing choreographic practices and developing new movement languages.
Together, the performances create a narrative about transformation, resilience, and the connecting power of movement, memory, and place.
Reimagining Trbovlje’s Power Station
The workshop Reimagining Trbovlje’s Power Station, held during the Speculum Artium Festival, invited participants from different generations to explore the Power Station and its iconic chimney as symbols of Trbovlje’s identity. Through storytelling, a virtual reality film, character creation and collaborative collage, participants reflected on the past, present and future of the site.
The process transformed personal memories into a shared vision. The chimney emerged not only as an industrial structure but also as an emotional and cultural landmark. Three future perspectives were imagined: the chimney as a space for cultural creativity, intercultural and spiritual gathering, and a connection between industrial heritage and future innovation.
Reimagining the Youth Fountain and Museum Park
The workshop brought together students, dance artists, educators and local residents to explore the history and future potential of this important public space in Belgrade. Through discussions, visual research and creative collage work, participants reflected on memory, urban identity and the changing role of the Fountain and Park in community life. Archival and contemporary photographs helped connect personal memories with broader cultural perspectives.
A second workshop focused on placemaking and urban imagination, introducing methods such as storytelling, visual mapping and SWOT analysis. Participants developed collages that reimagined the site as a vibrant space for gathering, movement and artistic expression.
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Tales of Togetherness
Retired miners shared personal memories, photographs, and objects, reflecting on everyday life in the mine and highlighting themes of friendship, humour, solidarity, pride, and resilience. Through a collaborative “memory map” of the mine, participants connected stories and emotions to specific underground spaces. These collected narratives now serve as an important dramaturgical foundation for the 2026 site-specific dance production.
Back to the Future of Bentbaša
The workshop explored community engagement and placemaking in the historic Bentbaša area of Sarajevo, the future location of a site-specific performance. Students, local residents, and experts in architecture, heritage, and design came together to reflect on the site’s past and imagine its future. Through presentations, storytelling, and collaborative methods such as SWOT analysis and visual collage-making, participants developed three visions: a multifunctional cultural hub, a creative arts space connecting fashion and heritage, and a vibrant riverfront for recreation and cultural events. The ideas generated provide inspiration for the 2026 Danube Dance Alliance performance and support future community-led revitalisation of Bentbaša.
Memory in Motion: Reimagining Svetvinčenat
The workshop Memory in Motion: Reimagining Svetvinčenat invited participants to explore the town’s past, present, and future through storytelling, collective memory, and imagination. Led by landscape architect Martin Yankov and community engagement expert Irina Altanova, residents and visitors revisited iconic spaces using archival photographs and personal recollections. Through creative exercises, participants reflected on heritage, community life, and the emotional connections that shape public space. Memories and associations were mapped to identify key themes such as tradition, social interaction, and imagination. The session concluded with a shared reflection on future cultural activation of the town, offering inspiration for the choreography and concept of the upcoming Danube Dance Alliance co-production in Svetvinčenat.
