Under the cover of a clear July night, on one of the most spectacular stages on the Adriatic, the ancient St. Michael's Fortress, an artistic magic occurred that will be long remembered. On Wednesday evening, July 16, the audience of the Šibenik Dance Festival witnessed a rarely seen eruption of energy, precision, and raw emotion. The world-renowned German dance company, Gauthier Dance Company, performed its kinetically powerful program, culminating in the visually hypnotic choreography Contemporary Dance 2.0. With this guest performance, the festival once again cemented its status as an unmissable point on the cultural map of Croatia and Europe, confirming that the city of Šibenik lives and breathes for supreme art.
The evening at the historic fortress, which offers a surreal view of the Šibenik archipelago, was more than a dance performance; it was a complete experience for all the senses. The company from Stuttgart, led by the visionary baton of dancer, choreographer, and tireless dance promoter Eric Gauthier, showed why it is considered one of the most exciting names on the contemporary dance scene. Their approach is uncompromising – physically intense to the extreme, technically polished to perfection, but at the same time imbued with a deep intuition and emotional power that spills from the stage to the audience.
An Evening of Dance Diversity and Raw Energy
The program began seemingly casually, but supreme skill was simmering beneath the surface. The opening numbers of the evening, three playful and charming solos under the collective name PacoPepePluto, immediately won the audience's affection. To the timeless music of Dean Martin, three dancers performed a choreography by Alejandro Cerrudo, demonstrating extraordinary technical precision packaged in a witty and accessible performance. It was the perfect introduction that set the stage for what was to follow.
The atmosphere then changed dramatically. A darker, more tense duet charged with raw energy, Monstruo Grande, took the stage. In this work by the esteemed choreographer Marco Goecke, known for his unique, almost nervous and fragmented dance language, two dancers wove a story of a complex relationship through impeccably synchronized, sharp, and lightning-fast movements. Their bodies became instruments that conveyed deep emotional tension, leaving the audience breathless and in anticipation of the evening's climax.
An Explosion of Rhythm: A Human Kaleidoscope at the Fortress
And the climax was just that – an explosion. From the first beats of the powerful electronic music to the last, synchronized movement, the performance of the piece Contemporary Dance 2.0 was a spectacle that redefined the concept of contemporary dance. The choreography is by one of the most influential contemporary dance artists of today, Hofesh Shechter, whose style is recognizable for its raw power, tribal rhythms, and the creation of monumental stage images. The performance was less like a classic dance piece and more like a pulsating visual concert, an experience that gets under your skin.
The dancers moved in fast, almost continuous formations, creating living images that rearranged in a split second, like some fascinating human kaleidoscope. Their energy was infectious, and their precision was breathtaking. "Although the performance lasts only an hour, it manages to condense an energy that would normally last at least two and a half hours!", was the vivid description by Eric Gauthier. He added that Shechter's vision of contemporary dance reveals its unexpected closeness to the clubbing experience, making it dynamic, direct, and incredibly appealing. It was precisely this mission of Gauthier's – to bring dance closer to everyone and show how diverse and rich it can be – that was realized that evening, and the audience, as he had predicted, fell irrevocably in love.
Honor, Emotions, and a Farewell Under the Stars
The performance in Croatia was special for the company in many ways. "The evening definitely met our expectations. It was a real pleasure to perform on such a beautiful outdoor stage, with a light breeze," conveyed the impressions of ballet master Luis Sayago. He was particularly impressed, he says, by the audience. "Judging by the great applause and enthusiastic reactions, it seemed the audience enjoyed it just as much. In fact, the audience rather impressed us – everyone was dressed up, with high expectations, as if it were an evening out to which they attach special meaning. What an honor and a sign of respect for the ensemble."
Besides the exceptional location and fantastic atmosphere, the evening also had a deeply emotional note. It was the last performance before the summer break, but also a touching farewell to dancer Izabela Szylinska, who left the company after six years. This fact gave the performance additional weight, and the emotions were almost palpable, both on stage and in the audience. The long, sincere applause and ovations at the end were the best confirmation that Šibenik had experienced an artistic event to remember.
Enthusiasm for Šibenik and a Unique Experience
The members of the Gauthier Dance Company did not hide their enthusiasm for the city. Upon arrival, they fell in love with its intimate atmosphere, picturesque stone streets, and the beautiful landscape that surrounds it. "We immediately went for a swim at a small beach we found, so we couldn't have wished for a better and more relaxed start to our Šibenik experience," the company stated. What followed was, they say, just as special. "Gauthier Dance rarely performs outdoors, and even more rarely in such an incredible location, with a spectacular view of the city and the bay. That's why even the rehearsals were a real pleasure for us." A curious detail was that the rehearsals, due to the fortress being open to visitors, had their own small audience. "We didn't expect to have an audience already! People stopped and watched us. It was unusual, but very nice, and it immediately built up anticipation for the performance. Our debut in Croatia is truly special, and our stay in Šibenik has given us unforgettable memories."
The Festival Continues at Full Strength
The Šibenik Dance Festival does not stop. Tonight, Friday, July 18, the program continues at two attractive locations. In the magical ambiance of the cloister next to the baptistery of the UNESCO Cathedral of St. James, a performance of Come Neve, a work by the esteemed Italian choreographer Adriano Bolognino, is scheduled. The dance evening then moves to the popular Green Stage in front of the Azimut club, where Roberta Maimone will perform the show Wonder Love.
Tomorrow, Saturday, July 19, dance art will once again conquer one of the city's fortresses. At the Barone Fortress, the audience will be able to see two performances: the horMoans – is that all there is?, a dance signature of the intriguing Portuguese choreographic duo of Beatriz Mira and Tiago Barreiros, and SAMIA, another choreographic work by the Italian Adriano Bolognino. Tickets for this program are available through the Eventim system.
Since Thursday, a special program has also started on the central city square, Poljana, which lasts until Sunday. As part of it, artistic organizations, dance clubs, and art schools from all over Croatia will be presented to the numerous visitors and citizens of Šibenik. It is important to note that, with the exception of the program at the Barone Fortress, all other performances within the festival are free for visitors. The complete schedule and all information are available on the official websites of the festival and the Tvrđava kulture Šibenik.
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Creation time: 18 July, 2025