Zagreb Dance Premiere Explores Tradition and Queer Identity

Zagreb will host the premiere of 'Adriatic Epic,' a new dance performance exploring the complex relationship between traditional heritage and contemporary identity. The show, created by Tomislav Feller in collaboration with choreographer and performer Marin Lemić, is set to debut on June 26 at the Zagreb Dance Center.

The performance brings together two seasoned professional dancers, Feller and Lemić, who began their careers dancing together in a youth ensemble. Nearly two decades later, they reunite on stage to delve into their personal connections to tradition, the fundamental human need for community, and the drive for personal change. 'Adriatic Epic' is inspired by the traditional knightly dances of the Kumpanija ensemble from Blata on the island of Korčula, incorporating their martial movements and synchronized group dynamics.

These traditional elements are transformed into rituals of togetherness, forming a new dramaturgical framework that raises questions about how two individuals share space, support each other, and respond physically and emotionally to the limits of their endurance. The performance seeks to explore what it means to be a support for another, both literally and metaphorically, and the various ways people can connect and coexist.

The choreographic dialogue between Feller and Lemić is shaped by themes central to their current artistic work: the interplay between traditional heritage and queer identity, the experience of aging, and the inherent tension between strength and vulnerability. Feller, an internationally active choreographer, performer, and educator based between Berlin, Zagreb, and Amsterdam, brings a rich background from his studies and collaborations in Amsterdam.

Lemić, also a choreographer and performer who graduated from the Amsterdam University of the Arts, has extensive experience performing in German state theaters. The production features costumes by Brussels-based designer Stefan Kartchev, known for his work with high-fashion houses like Jean Paul Gaultier and Prada. Musical contributions come from musician Mihael Večković, with sound design by Nikola Krgović – N/OBE.

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What does it mean to be a support for another, literally and metaphorically, in what ways can we be together?