“Shapers” is a Euro-Mediterranean training and professionalization project for young dancers that focuses on dancing in unique public spaces. Led by the French company Ex Nihilo and supported by the program Europa Creativa, eight young performers from different countries in the Mediterranean region took part for two years in a unique experience of sharing and learning, that ended with the premiere of this choreographic work.

It is an ambitious initiative that uses dance to give a presence to the social, cultural and political changes taking place in the countries of the Mediterranean region over the last decade, with great awareness of the challenge represented by working on contemporary languages from such different vantage points. It is a commitment to mutual learning through different contexts and opportunities, and a defense of public space as a place for demands and thought.

As part of its road map, “Shapers,” to be carried out across two years, included workshops and auditions in Egypt, Morocco, France and Spain. The “Mes de Danza” (“Dance Month”) Festival, a partner contributing to this international project along with other entities from France, Morocco, Egypt and Bosnia, is presenting the project’s final show in Cordoba.

Performances and choreography: Shady Abdelrahman, Aurore Allo, Elvi Balboa, Lucia Bocanegra, Ayoub Kerkal, Natasha Kierbel, Mourad Koula, Ahmed Shamel
Artistic and educational director: Anne Le Batard and Jean Antoine Bigot / Ex Nihilo
Artistic and educational interns: Corinne Pontana, Rolando Rocha.