Community dance – human encounters beyond language
Can wordless communication, through dance, be a way to bring old and new Norrbotten residents together and form a community? A pilot project carried out in Boden and Kiruna points to this. – It became a very strong community, created creativity and a desire to be seen more. We believe in that strength in Norrbotten, says Nadja Nilsson, project manager for Dance Development Norrbotten.
The English word Community can be replaced in different ways depending on the context: society, group, community. In the method community dance Community stands for all three. It is an activity that starts from the local community, brings a group together and builds community.
– It is a method where people who are not used to dancing or do it professionally, are allowed to enter into an artistic dance process together with a dance artist who leads the group. Often, the starting point is the local place and the people in the group to determine what they create together. It is very much based on co-creation. It is the process that is important and not the result, says Nadja Nilsson.
“Playfulness and joy”
The method originated in Great Britain and has been used in several regions in Sweden for a long time. It can be used in several art fields, such as music or theater. And last year, groups in Kiruna and Boden were able to try it out as part of a pilot project. Under the leadership of dance artists Linda Remahl and Maria Påhls, inexperienced dancers were able to meet and create something together.
– Many were very fulfilled by being able to use their bodies and express themselves with their bodies. The playfulness and joy that comes from dancing together. There were also many who highlighted the meeting between people, the relationships that arose and the fact that you no longer felt alone, says Nadja.
The pilot project gave people something to look forward to. Now, residents of six municipalities will have the chance to meet through dance, in a new project run by Moskosel Creative Park, based in Arvidsjaur municipality. Here there is great experience in projects with the community idea at the core, a habit of involving local communities and people.
– For us, it's about both preserving and promoting the culture in northern Sweden, says Goncalo Rodrigues Marques and talks about the vision: a permanent exhibition in one of the studios in Moskosel, with short films, photo exhibitions, etc. that represent the entire community dance project.
“That exhibition can be visited by people in the future and give rise to new projects. People can learn from other people's solutions,” says Goncalo.
“A method for creating meetings”
In addition to the fact that community dance can become one of several tools in societal transformation, Rebecka Strand, dance consultant at Region Norrbotten, sees an opportunity for dance to gain a stronger position in Norrbotten overall.
– One hope is that political representatives in the municipalities will see community dance as the social innovation it is: a method for creating meetings. Community dance is a chance for dance to reach a new audience and new target groups. There is also the possibility of creating additional activities in the municipalities, and new jobs for dance professionals.
Rebecka Strand, dance consultant, Region Norrbotten, and Goncalo Rodrigues Marques, Moskosel Creative Park. Photo: Sara Stylbäck Vesa
Jokkmokk and Kiruna municipalities are the first to participate, followed by Haparanda, Boden and Gällivare. In addition to these, another municipality is being sought for the initiative. In each municipality there will be three groups of 12-15 people, a mix of new and old residents. The municipalities will participate for about a year and the groups will conclude with a presentation in a form of their own choosing. It could be a performance, a dance film or a photo exhibition. Beyond this, the structure is quite free. In Boden and Kiruna, the project had good help from the cultural coordinators in the localities.
Goncalo at Moskosel Creative Park is already thinking about the time after the project.
– From our side, it's about both preserving and promoting the culture in Northern Sweden. Activities like these are often lost over time. We can preserve the experiences, create a concept. Who knows – one day there might be community music or something else, and others can take over, he says.
Votes on the pilot project
"It's so amazing to meet new people in such a creative way. To connect, not through similar jobs, but by creating bonds through movement, through creativity and the freedom of expression. It's so unique and so special, and I think we've now made some new friends. We will continue to move – in different directions, but at the same time together." - Participant, Communitydans 2024, Kiruna
"For me it was like reconnecting with my inner child, getting to play and connect with people in a way I haven't experienced in over ten years or more. Creating something with strangers was incredibly beautiful." - Participant, Community Dance 2024, Kiruna Municipality
FACTS: Community dance Norrbotten
Project name: Community dance Norrbotten: Together in time and movement
Time for the project: August 2025 - June 2027
Project owner: Moskosel Creative Park
Collaboration partners: Dance Development Norrbotten (Dance Center Norr and Dance Consultant Norrbotten)
Financing: The Postcode Foundation and Region Norrbotten
Other: Follow-up research on the community dance project will be conducted by Luleå University of Technology, where they will follow the participants and their experiences during the process.
Text: Sara Stylbäck Vesa
