Mozambique: ‘Bantu’ opens in Maputo

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Mozambique: ‘Bantu’ opens in Maputo

11:26 CAT | 14 Nov 2023

Image: Camões – Centro Cultural Português em Maputo

Bantu, the latest creation by Portuguese choreographer Victor Hugo Pontes, arrives in Maputo, with a presentation scheduled for November 15th, at 7:00 p.m., in the auditorium of the Centro Cultural Franco Moçambicano, as part of the 10th edition of Kinani Moz and the Biennale de la Danse – Dance Biennial in Africa.

Bantu originated from an invitation addressed to Victor Hugo Pontes by Estúdios Victor Córdon (EVC) and the Camões Centro Cultural Português in Maputo, for the development of a new dance creation with Mozambican and Portuguese performers. EVC and Camões Maputo are partners in a joint programme for three seasons, which aims to create bridges between Portugal and Mozambique, and promote the circulation and internationalisation of dance.

“Bantu” has multiple meanings. It designates a family of languages spoken in sub-Saharan Africa, but it can name a language of its own that survived the imposition of European languages, an identity mechanism, a sign that remained intact. The world can be seen from the language we speak. From different geographies, in a country or on a stage, we have different perspectives, we do not speak the same language. In Bantu, Victor Hugo Pontes explores the opposite path, the one that leads to the universal language of dance. The show creates a meeting point between two continents and two countries with common affinities and memories.

Victor Hugo Pontes (born 1978) is one of the Portuguese choreographers and directors with the most solid and inventive career in recent decades in Portugal. In 2023, he marks 20 years of artistic creation. Among the shows he created, highlights include Corpo Clandestino (2022), Meio no Meio (2021), Os Três Irmãos (2020), Drama (2019), Margem (2018, SPA Award for Best Choreography), If Ever You Need My Life, Come and Take It (2016), Fall (2014), Zoo (2013) and A Ballet Story (2012, Best Public and Expresso Performance of the Year).

Bantu.nomeproprio.fb_ — *Photo Courtesy: Nome Próprio*

Artistic direction: Victor Hugo Pontes

Scenography: F Ribeiro

Music: Throes + The Shine

Technical direction and lighting design: Wilma Moutinho

Sound design and operation: João Monteiro

Costumes: Cristina Cunha and Victor Hugo Pontes

Mask construction: Cristina Cunha

Costume making: Emília Pontes and Domingos Freitas Pereira

Direction assistance: Cátia Esteves

Artistic consultancy: Madalena Alfaia

Production management: Joana Ventura

Executive production: Mariana Lourenço

Production assistance: Inês Guedes Pereira

Interpretation: Dinis Abudo Quilavei (MZ), Dinis Duarte, João Costa (dancer kindly provided by CNB), José Jalane (MZ), Maria Emília Ferreira, Marta Cardoso, Osvaldo Passirivo (MZ)

Intern interpreter: Francisco Freire

Promoters: OPART/ Estúdios Victor Córdon, Camões Portuguese Cultural Centre, Maputo

Institutional partner of EVC: Camões I.P.

Production: Nome Próprio

Nome Próprio is a resident structure at Teatro Campo Alegre, within the scope of the Teatro em Campo Aberto programme and has the support of the Portuguese General Directorate of Arts.

Source: Camões – Centro Cultural Português em Maputo / Press Release