On Thursday, September 10, while Cast 1 performed at the Amsterdam Fringe Festival, Cast 2 traveled to The Hague to lead two workshops inspired by FOCARIS. These were organized in partnership with the Holland Dance Festival, with special support from Irene van Zeeland, who acted as our host and mentor throughout the tour and supported us in every way possible. The workshop Powerful Bodies, aimed at dancer 50 years and plus, began by discovering inner fire through touch, warmth, and an intimate connection with one’s own body. Laura then lit the flame with tropical rhythms; Anneloes shared the movement methodology from her solo, inviting creativity and exploration; and finally Laisvie led the choreography from Lorena’s solo in FOCARIS, turning the session into a big celebration.
The second workshop, Water Body, was designed for young people and adults with and without disabilities, led by Diana León and Fabián Mariano. In this workshop, the connection between the body and water was approached from various angles: we became seaweed, tides, lakes, and schools of fish. The workshop concluded with a creative exercise where participants demonstrated incredible imagination.
Finally, the most anticipated day arrived. The Korzo Theatre in The Hague opened its doors, and we presented FOCARIS with the full international ensemble with which it was created in 2025, thanks to the support of Teatro Mayor Julio Mario Santo Domingo and the Ministry of Culture of Colombia. Nearly a year had passed, and there we were again, recognizing one another and expanding our senses to move with the power and subtlety of fire. We even added Flora’s gentle voice and two more dancers: Kamee and Laisvie, who had stepped as a dancer to resolve a logistical need in Glasgow, and didn’t want to leave the stage again. An hour and twenty minutes flew by, followed by an extended standing ovation from an audience captivated by the energy we shared.
Anneloes described it like this:
“As a shared collective we became one big enormous wave/force of art that led to two ecstatic and thrilling performances and four profound and touching workshops. Just before the show I felt some healthy nerves racing through my body. As soon as we entered the stage the nerves faded away, transforming into a deep surrender and trust. I viscerally knew/felt, that I did not have to do this alone. I knew that might it happen that i felt I would not have enough within me, that that wouldn’t matter, because I would be carried by the group, I would be able to tap into forces that are bigger than one person alone.”
Many audience members cried and came up to speak with us afterward, still visibly moved. We received countless beautiful comments about the unity of the group, our genuine commitment to inclusion and accessibility, and how each performer shone in their own way, showing vulnerability and strength at the same time.
