June days in Savičenta will be the stage for diverse dance expressions, offering the audience insight into creative processes at various stages – from the first outlines of new choreographic ideas to complete performances ready to meet the viewers. The Mediterranean Dance Centre, a vital hub for dance arts, in addition to presenting works in progress and finished performances, has also prepared two intriguing workshops, further enriching the dance offerings of this small Istrian town. This renowned centre, which has operated since 2010 in the adapted building of a former community hall, enters a new development phase from 2025, transforming into a year-round programme centre by taking over the legacy of the Dance and Non-Verbal Theatre Festival. Its vision is focused on strengthening a sustainable model that supports artists, connects local and international communities, and contributes to the development of contemporary art.

Inspiring stories of women translated into movement

Immediately before the official start of the June programme, specifically on Saturday, May 31, 2025, starting at 8 PM, the Italian artistic duo Igor x Moreno, after an intensive two-week artistic residency in Savičenta, will offer the audience a glimpse into their latest project. This is a presentation of a work in progress bearing the working title "Petras". This performance is deeply dedicated to female togetherness, exploring themes of resilience and the immense power of creation. The artists found inspiration for "Petras" in the touching and powerful stories of Italian mondinas – seasonal workers who toiled in the vast rice fields of northern Italy. Their struggle for better working conditions and dignity left an indelible mark on Italian history and culture, and their songs, like the famous "Bella Ciao" in its original version, became a symbol of resistance. Another important source of inspiration for this project are the Basque sorginaks – women who, in Basque tradition, were deeply connected to nature, practiced healing, and possessed knowledge of ancient rituals. Often misunderstood and marginalized, sorginaks represent the archetype of a woman who draws strength from nature and ancient knowledge. Through their work, Igor x Moreno will attempt to intertwine these two powerful female figures, creating a dance tribute to their courage and legacy.

Transformation and recycling in Vučinić's new choreography

After the Italian duo, Savičenta will host another artistic residency. Ognjen Vučinić, a prominent choreographer from Pula currently residing and working in Belgrade, will present his new project to the audience on Saturday, June 14, 2025, also at 8 PM. Vučinić, known for his pedagogical work and numerous award-winning performances, delves into the concept of space as a place of continuous transformation in his latest choreography. His work explores the fascinating idea that past movements and previous choreographies are not lost, but rather, like materials, are melted down, reshaped, and given new purpose, new meaning. Inspired by the ubiquitous recycling processes that shape our world, Vučinić questions how different types of energy – be it physical, emotional, or creative – are not destroyed, but fluidly transmute from one form to another. This approach opens up space for reflection on transience, but also on the enduring value of artistic expression that is constantly changing and adapting. Along with a short presentation of the work in progress, Ognjen Vučinić will also present the D. Dance Alliance project. This is an international initiative aimed at developing contemporary dance in the Danube region through innovative, modular, and hybrid international co-productions. This project, which brings together transdisciplinary organizations from Slovenia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, strives to create an international alliance for the sustainable development of the contemporary dance scene, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration and the use of new technologies.

The encounter of body and technology in "Never ALLone"

Dance June in Savičenta will culminate with the performance of "Never ALLone" by the talented choreographer Matea Bilosnić, scheduled for Friday, June 20, 2025, at 8 PM. The audience of the Mediterranean Dance Centre already had the opportunity to become acquainted with this artist's work in May, when her acclaimed performance "Never Again" was staged. "Never ALLone" presents an intriguing duet for a dancer and a robot, boldly exploring the complex and increasingly relevant relationship between the human body and advanced technology. Bilosnić creates a hybrid choreographic environment where the boundaries between the organic and inorganic gradually blur, opening space for new reflections on the future of movement, stage presence, and the very concept of identity in a technologically saturated age. The performance raises questions about what remains after the dance, what remains after us, and how technology redefines our understanding of humanity. The exceptional artistic value and innovativeness of "Never ALLone" have been recognized internationally – it was included among the 20 most promising European dance creations within the prestigious Aerowaves Twenty25 platform. Aerowaves is a reputable European network that annually selects and promotes the most exciting young choreographers in Europe, providing them with the opportunity to present their work to a wider international audience and dance professionals. After a notable guest performance at the Spring Forward festival in Gorizia, which this year was part of the official programme of the European Capital of Culture 2025 Nova Gorica – Gorizia, "Never ALLone" arrives in Savičenta, where the work was partially developed during a residency programme at the Mediterranean Dance Centre. Artistic residencies, such as those offered by MPC, are crucial for the development of contemporary dance, providing artists with the necessary space, time, and resources for research, experimentation, and the creation of new works, far from the pressures of everyday life. They enable the deepening of artistic visions and often result in innovative and bold dance productions. Work-in-progress presentations are also a vital part of this ecosystem, offering the audience a unique insight into the creative process, while providing artists with valuable feedback in crucial stages of their project development.

The programme in Savičenta thus not only offers the audience finished dance products but opens the door to the world of dance creation, celebrating its diversity, innovativeness, and constant transformation. Each of the announced presentations and performances promises a unique experience, inviting reflection on themes of togetherness, resilience, transience, the relationship with technology, and the very nature of dance as an artistic expression that constantly pushes boundaries.