From Spanish to contemporary Indian dance, the first edition of Żfinfest held over the weekend pushed the boundaries of local performance, launching an international dance festival that will be held every March.
It aimed to encourage dance work and enhance public understanding of this art form
Żfinfest was created by independent artists Francesca Abela Tranter, Lucia Piquero and Sandra Mifsud and supported by several Maltese organisations. It was launched on Thursday and drew to an end on Saturday.
The festival was aimed at encouraging dance work by established and emerging choreographers and enhancing the public understanding of this art form and its cultural significance.
It also provided a professional platform for workshops and debates to encourage artistic exchanges through international links.
The festival was launched through a series of performances by Mavin Khoo Dance Company; Anusha Kedhar and Rebecca Camilleri accompanied by Renzo Spiteri; Diciembre Dance Group accompanied by musicians Alberto Garcia and Victor Gils; Contact Dance Company; Alegría Dance Company; Junior Dance Company of Bari and Moveo Dance Company.
It will become an annual event hosting national and international dance companies through a jury selection.
Among the activities was a panel discussion about the past, present and future of dance in Malta, held at the University Campus in Msida.
Friday saw the launch performances at the MTIP theatre in Valletta and the following day workshops were held on contemporary and Indian classical dance and music and dance collaboration.
The festival was supported by the University of Malta’s School of Performing Arts, AIS Group, Morgan de Toi, Sound Systems, P. Cutajar & Co and Nexos Lighting.
www.zfinfest.com