Premiere of dance performance "Stepping on the Ground" by the Skopje Dance Theater in the Macedonian National Theater will open Wednesday Dance Fest 2016, which runs through April 29.
This year's program, held in Skopje, Veles and Bitola, will include performances by Macedonian, but also renowned foreign dance companies.
The Izmir State Opera and Ballet will play "Color of Dance" on April 11, ARA dance company from Riga (Latvia) will perform "Poetic Dance Tragedy" on April 17, Paris-based Rualite will play "Strates" and focus on French contemporary dance on April 18, while Beijing Nine Contemporary Dance Company will perform "Trans la Valo" on April 23.
The festival's opening will mark the fifth anniversary of the Skopje Dance Theatre, the only contemporary dance company in Macedonia. Moreover, this year's "Menada" award for outstanding achievements in the field of dance will be presented to Croatian artist Milko Sparemblek.
Besides the premiere of "Stepping on the Ground", the Skopje Dance Theatre will perform another premiere "Magical World" on April 15. Both performances will also be played in Veles and Bitola.
The festival program also includes an Open Day on April 7, aimed at stimulating the creativity among youth who practice dance.
In addition, dance studios from Macedonia will take part at the Dance Parade at Skopje streets on April 24.
The motto of this year's festival is "Let's Dance! Be Different!" honoring David Bowie, who was the first big music star who presented contemporary dance on stage by promoting company "La La La Human Steps" in 1988.