European Dance Prize Laureate Returns to 'New Baltic Dance' Festival

The New Baltic Dance festival is set to welcome back Christos Papadopoulos, a choreographer whose work has garnered significant international acclaim, including a prestigious European dance prize. Papadopoulos, known for his profound exploration of the human body and the creative process, shared insights into his artistic journey during a recent reflection.

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This is the first time in a very long time that I have stopped. I catch myself thinking: who am I now?

He described his method, which begins with solitary exploration in the studio, where he physically embodies each movement before demanding it of his dancers. This intense personal process is often accompanied by self-doubt, a theme he openly discusses. "My biggest enemy is myself. Insecurity that I have nothing to say. Shame," he admitted. Yet, it is through enduring this internal struggle that he finds the meaning to share his work, transforming movement into something authentic when it is passed to another body.

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The body is where it all begins. I come to the studio and work alone for months. I dance alone, physically creating the phrase of movement. If I don't feel it myself, I can't ask it of another. If I don't live it, I have no right to demand it.

Papadopoulos's transition from dancer to choreographer in 2012 marked a pivotal moment, leading to the creation of his own troupe and a string of successful productions like 'Larsen C,' 'Landless,' and 'ION.' Despite his success, he remains focused on the elusive moment of truth on stage – when genuine authenticity transcends technique or plot. This pursuit of the 'real' is central to his artistic vision, pushing him to resist easy conclusions and linger in the 'in-between states,' a process he likens to a prayer.

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And doubt always comes: 'What am I doing here? Does this have meaning?'