A unique opportunity for all lovers of dance and movement opens up at the end of June and during July in the heart of Istria. The Mediterranean Dance Center, located in the idyllic Svetvinčenat, becomes the epicenter of artistic research through four intensive workshops that will be led by renowned artists from Bulgaria, Croatia, Sweden, the Republic of South Africa, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. This program, which runs from the end of June to mid-July 2025, offers a rare insight into contemporary dance practices and allows participants to work directly with artists on the development of their new projects.

Each of the four workshops is conceived as an integral part of a broader artistic process. Participants will not be just passive recipients of knowledge, but active participants in creation – whether it's a performance that is just being created, preparation for a guest performance, or sharing long-standing authorial methodologies. The program is open to all interested parties, regardless of previous experience, as the level and intensity of the work will be adapted to the dynamics and capabilities of each group, with the exception of two workshops that are recommended for those with slightly more dance knowledge.

The Collective Rhythm of the Bulgarian Scene: Research with Atom Theatre

The dance season in Svetvinčenat begins this Saturday, June 28, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a workshop titled "Creative Practices" led by the esteemed Bulgarian collective Atom Theatre. This troupe, known for its innovative approach to physical theater, bases its work on exploring group dynamics and creating a "collective body" on stage. Participants will have the opportunity to dive into the working methods that this collective applies in its processes, which are based on deep listening to partners, developing sharpened attention, and achieving a state of complete presence in the moment. Through a series of structured physical tasks, guided improvisations, and learning common dance phrases, participants will discover how individual movement merges into a powerful, synchronized collective rhythm that has become the trademark of Atom Theatre.

On the Border of Waking and Dreaming: The Authorial Process of the Lilek Sisters

On Saturday, July 5, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Mediterranean Dance Center will host local forces, sisters and artistic collaborators Luna Lilek and Nika Lilek Rep. Their workshop, symbolically named "I will dream while awake/Workshop", offers a unique entry into their intimate authorial world, which is woven on the subtle border between reality and imagination. Luna and Nika, known for their biographical and emotionally charged performances, will open the doors to their creative process and share with participants the tools they use to explore inner dialogues, dreamlike states, and the fluidity of memory. The workshop is conceived as an interdisciplinary laboratory where movement intertwines with words and visual stimuli, creating a space where each participant can explore their own narratives and question the perception of what is real and what is imagined. For all who come from outside Istria, finding accommodation in Svetvinčenat is an ideal opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the creative atmosphere.

Listening with the Body: A Swedish-South African Experiment in Movement

Saturday, July 19, brings two dance events, and the morning slot from 10 to 11:30 a.m. is reserved for more experienced dancers eager to experiment. The workshop "Impro without touch – listening with the body" will be led by the artistic duo Land Before Time, consisting of Joanna Holewa Chrona from Sweden and Yared Tilahun Cederlund from the Republic of South Africa. Their work is based on the development of a new, intriguing project "Yaltari," a performance "multiverse" whose foundation is improvisation without the use of sight and physical contact. The focus of the workshop is on sharpening sensory perception and establishing a deep connection with a partner exclusively through movement. They draw inspiration from the fluidity of water, and integrate slow-motion, popping, and subtle isolation techniques into their unique dance language. This workshop presents a challenge and pushes the boundaries of usual communication in dance, requiring participants to learn to "listen" to the space and their partner with their entire body.

Fusion of Styles: From the Street to Contemporary Dance with Branko Mitrović

On the same day, Saturday, July 19, but in the time slot from 12 to 2:30 p.m., dancers with experience will have the opportunity to work at the "Street feat. contemporary fusion" workshop led by Branko Mitrović from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mitrović, a prominent member of the Bitef Dance Company and a versatile performer with extensive experience in theater and musicals, is known for his explosive and dynamic dance expression. His authorial language boldly combines the raw energy of street dance styles with the refined technique of contemporary dance. The workshop is designed as a practical laboratory where work will be done on dynamic phrasing, complex floor work techniques, and, most importantly, on the creation of a joint choreography that is currently in the process of being made. Branko will place special emphasis on developing stage presence and performance charisma, providing participants with an authentic experience of working within a professional production process. This is an extraordinary opportunity for dancers to enrich their movement vocabulary and collaborate with one of the most exciting dance artists in the region, in an inspiring environment such as that offered by Svetvinčenat.