Freedom Meal + Muses and Mansour by Jordy Dik

Freedom meal

12 to 14 o'clock

The motto of this year's Freedom Meal at the Goethe-Institut Amsterdam is ‘Freedom is freedom for all’. Freedom for all also means freedom from restrictions for people with physical or mental disabilities. These restrictions are still common in the cultural sector: in dance, in theatre, in music, in front of and behind the stage and in the auditorium. Can we feel free if not everyone has the freedom to enjoy art, to express themselves artistically and to be seen and appreciated in the process? These are physical barriers, but also barriers in people's minds. A start has been made, but there is still a long way to go. We can all open up and broaden our view of the world, of our fellow human beings and of art. We want to discuss these topics during the Freedom Meal.

Filmscreenings Muses & A Bird Named Mansour by Jordy Dik

15 to 16 o'clock

Thanks to Hofesh Shechter Company, Compagnie Tiuri, Holland Dance Festival & Fonds Podiumkunsten.

Jordy Dik and some other makers will be present.

The program begins with the documentary Muses, in which the spectator follows the work of choreographer Jordy Dik through his dancers and muses. “To really get to know me, you have to get to know the people who can move my inside like no other,” says Jordy. At the invitation of Hofesh Shechter, Jordy was given the opportunity to work with the renowned Shechter II from the Hofesh Shechter Company in London during the summer of 2024. A dream come true through the ‘Fast Forward’ program of the Performing Arts Fund NL. “But dreams that become reality just for you bring no satisfaction.” That’s why he brought five dancers from Compagnie Tiuri – a leading and inclusive dance theater company that has enchanted the Netherlands in recent years with groundbreaking productions (BNG Bank Dance Prize ’23). Jordy is a co-founder and artistic leader of the company, and there is no one he believes in, trusts, and values more than these exceptional dancers. He considers them his Muses. In the eponymous documentary, a new and exciting world unfolds in London, where the company is away from home for the first time for such an extended period. They forge new friendships, find inspiration, face challenges, and, above all, experience moving moments. After the documentary, the dance film A Bird Named Mansour will be shown. This is the artistic and cinematic result of the ten days both companies shared together. A Bird Named Mansour is grounded in the unsettling reality of today’s world—a world filled with chaos, where countless children are forced to flee their homes in search of safety. It directly reflects on the choices of world leaders who too often opt for violence instead of saving lives, a harsh commentary on our current global landscape. Inspired by birds—symbols of freedom and the yearning to fly towards a peaceful future—the film speaks to the simple yet profound desire to live together in harmony. At its core, A Bird Named Mansour serves as both a mirror to our times and a call for change, reminding us that none of us can truly be free until freedom belongs to all.

Jordy Dik (he/him), award-winning choreographer, community artist, and artistic leader of the inclusive dance theatre company Compagnie Tiuri, takes on the role of director in his short dance film A Bird Named Mansour, funded through the Fast Forward Program of Performing Arts Fund NL. With this opportunity, Jordy not only conceptualized and choreographed but also personally filmed and edited the entire piece, creating a new and deep learning experience in choreography and filmmaking.

After the end of the day's programme, you are cordially invited to a borrel with live music by David Golek (guitar) and Cord Heineking (bass) in our garden, weather permitting.

Note on accessibility: Our building, a listed canal house, is unfortunately not yet accessible on all floors. The event will therefore take place on the ground floor and is generally accessible for people who use a wheelchair. Please let us know when you register if you use a wheelchair so that we can prepare your participation as well as possible. Thank you very much!