Scandinavia Archives

A Never-Ending Dawn

At times jittery and rapid, but then again lunging and feline, Tahir explores every shadowed corner to a soundtrack of galloping horses. Just as in any ritual, the time here is suspended if not abolished altogether.
Evgeny Borisenko

Dawn is exploring and reinterpreting Norse mythology through an Afro-nordic lens. In this piece Adam Seid Tahir is exploring and reflecting over the power contained within the symbols of day and night, light and dark? A binary that has been taken “hostage” through historical uses of the symbolic moral meanings of “good” and “bad”.

This work is a reflection upon the magical potential of both, the cyclical forces of light and dark and the shades in between. Foremost a continuation of the tradition of storytelling of myths and magical creatures and as a political gesture inserting a black body, a queer representation into Norse mythology.

Dawn is the first work in a series that re-interpret the runic alphabet of the Elder Futhark through a queer Afro-Nordic lens. This piece departs from the rune Dagaz, a rune symbolizing: day, dawn, awakening. Like all runes of the Elder Futhark, Dagaz carries many myths. Through these stories Dawn forms re-interpretations and alternate associations.

May 24th – 25th, 2025 Zorlu Performing Arts Center, Istanbul
June 29th – July 5th, 2025 Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona
November 14th – 16th, 2025 LG Arts Center, Seoul
November 21st -22nd, 2025 Busan Cultural Center, Busan
March 29th, 2026 Steps Festival, Lugano
April 24th – 26th, 2026 Dansens Hus, Stockholm
Approx. 2 h 15 min (including 40 min interval)

A Joy Called Ekman

In Hammer, a harmonious community shares an altruistic lifestyle inspired by the hippie era. They run, play, sing and enjoy life together. But slowly, the community progresses towards the modern age with its ubiquitous surveillance. The group’s behaviour becomes increasingly egotistical and individualistic. When we return for the second act, we find ourselves in a different place. Now we meet a group of self-conscious people in lonely bubbles. Eventually, unable to cope with all the false pretences, they are forced to relinquish their image-conscious facades and return to an altruistic existence.

Multi-award-winning choreographer Alexander Ekman is bold, unpredictable and innovative, just like GöteborgsOperans Danskompani. His visually powerful work turns a spotlight on contemporary society’s self-image, often with a humorous twist. Ekman has created some 50 works, which have been performed by almost as many companies worldwide. Hammer, a full evening in two acts, is his third work for GöteborgsOperans Danskompani.

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