- 21 August 2025 7 pm UTC
- dur 60 min
Moving beyond the confines of inherited cultural frameworks, Ruda challenges conformity and asserts an audacious, self-defined identity. Her body becomes a vessel through which echoes of the past resound—ancestral music and memory reverberating through movement—while simultaneously carving out new, uncharted possibilities of being. KEMET – Black Lands is at once homage to historical legacies and a bold reclamation of space. It is a journey of liberation, where culture becomes both a question and a key, and the dance becomes a declaration of presence in a world that often marginalizes difference. Alkamal Walkamal Almutlaq,\” translating to Completeness and Absolute Wholeness from ancient Arabic, embodies a profound exploration of the eternal bond between the spirit and the soul. Performed by three dancers, this piece delves into how these two elements interconnect to heal and revive the physical self, presenting the body as both a capsule and a temple that relies on the spirit and soul for wholeness and vitality. Through ethereal Afro-contemporary movement and symbolic rituals, the choreography becomes a lyrical meditation—inviting audiences to reflect on love, health, and balance. The trio of performers weave together their bodies and energies to give physical form to the unseen dialogue between spirit and soul, highlighting the collective and individual journey toward inner harmony. Rooted in universal themes, the dance portrays the transformative power of unity and strength, exploring love as a catalyst for both sickness and healing. It poses intriguing questions through poetic dialogue: Can there be sickness without love? Is health sustained by being in love or being loved? The performance draws its title as a kind of prayer—a deep invocation of resilience and renewal—calling upon the power of spirit and soul to create wholeness and harmony in the body.
Choreographer, dancer, and teacher Asanda Ruda has graced stages worldwide, earning acclaim for her visionary contributions to the dance world. Her career reflects a journey of perseverance, cultural exploration, and artistic mastery. Ruda’s artistic roots were forged in community groups in Soweto, where she first cultivated her passion for dance. From 2011 to 2015, she undertook formal training in dance, choreography, and teaching at Moving Into Dance (MID). Upon completing her training, she joined the MID professional company, embarking on a five-year tenure that saw her perform internationally, presenting works by renowned choreographers as well as her own creations. Her artistry has been celebrated across Italy, Russia, and Greece. In 2020, Ruda collaborated with the German-based Pina Bausch Foundation for The Rite of Spring, a joint production with École des Sables (SEN), Sadler’s Wells (UK), and the Pina Bausch Foundation. The following year, she was honored with the prestigious l’Acogny d’Argent Award at the Africa Simply the Best festival in Burkina Faso—a Pan-African event recognizing exceptional solo choreographic creators. This achievement secured her participation in a residency program at Hellerau in Dresden, Germany.
