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Bodø is a dancing city. Dance is an important activity for our cultural scene. There are private dance studios, volunteer groups of all ages, public cultural school and a high-quality upper secondary dance class preparing students for academy or conservatory educations. But on the other hand, Bodø does not have any professional dance institutions or higher education within the field of dance. Therefore it was important for Bodø2024, the European Capital of Culture, to present professional dance artists with varying artistic expressions as part of our programme.

It was a goal from early in our process to work with two Japanese dancers currently residing in Norway: Yohei Hamada is a contemporary dance artist with a degree from Yokohama National University, working in Bodø. Maiko Nishino is the former Principal Dancer of the National Ballet in Oslo, Norway, educated from the Royal Ballet School in London.

Working with artist at this level, it was important for us to give them as much freedom as possible. Both of them are creative artists, with strong ideas and a clear vision. Our main task as producers was to provide the framework, both managerial and with regards to venue and audience.

Hamada’s production was shown at two different venues. As part of a project called “European Cabins of Culture”, in the mountains close to the Swedish-Norwegian border. Two groups of people had been walking in the mountains for a “cultural hike”, for 21 days. The finale was Hamada’s “Push Pull Matters”. A dance art production working with resistance and force, for an audience that had been struggling in the mountains for weeks and now met the performers in the mountains. It was a true highlight of our programme in 2024. The production was also shown in dialogue with a contemporary arts installation by Joar Nango, in the city centre of Bodø. We greatly appreciate the flexibility and professional attitude from the artist, working in very demanding, but spectacular settings.

The production with Maiko Nishino and Marius Gjersø is a completely different approach and expression. Coming from the position of Principal Dancer at the main stage of the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, Maiko is a big star that the Norwegian audience really consider one of our own. Therefore, it was a real privilege to get the opportunity to present her art in a small, intimate venue, at the independent cultural centre Beddingen. The production is based on Marius Gjersø’s album “Yugen”, that he created after visiting Japan. Marius’s spatial electronic soundscapes and soft, soaring trumpet is the sound of his memories of Japan. On stage, it also becomes a meeting with the moving art of Maiko Nishino, accompanied by an immersive light production by Charles Ellingsen from Nordland, Norway.

The artistic level of both the Japanese dancers is unquestionable. It is an honour to work with performers at this level. But what makes this project special, in the perspective of Bodø2024 and our city, is how they connect with people. Meeting a completely new audience, at an extremely complicated venue, like Yohei Hamada. Or performing so close to the audience that everyone can sense every detail of movement, like Maiko Nishino. And even their willingness to meet young students and give inspiration. This makes a real difference to us, adding a professional level of dance to the artistic programme, but presented in such a way that the audience still feel included and involved, almost as a part of the performance.

Thanks to EU-Japan Fest Japan Committee, we got the chance to work with two very strong artists from Japan. We have received great feedback from people in Bodø. Some have been dance art fans for a long time, and some experienced contemporary dance for the first time ever, in the mountains. No matter the background, the audience was clearly moved by the experience.

We are currently working to bring both productions to Japan. Dance and music are languages without words, that can travel across the world and still be recognized. We believe this project will reach its full potential when is has met audience in both Norway and Japan. We know for sure the moving arts of Nishino and Hamada and their colleagues really connected with the Norwegian audience, and we look forward to making it complete when meeting a Japanese audience.