Page 19 - FIS World JUne 2024

In international education we often find ourselves focused around one language, a shared language. More often than not, at ISTA festivals the language is English. For most students this is not their mother tongue and to be able to move past the anxieties this might present we are able to share the language that transcends all tongues and cultures: dance. Dance is a universal language that allows the individual to move past the awkwardness of the “first date” scenario and hopefully allow them to find their true self; to ask, "who am I, and how do I move with others?"
The festival begins
In the FIS Auditorium, the dance floor is down, a canvas to be written on. Participants are equipped with clothes that allow them to articulate their words through movements. ISTA artists enter, patiently waiting to start. The usual introductions in English are delivered by the ISTA Rep and FIS Principal, then... Boom! The music starts and rigour begins – stretching, balancing, traversing and moving in the space, readying the body, the tool of communication for the day. There is a sense of anticipation, freshness, all newcomers together, with the same focus, equal trust – an ensemble.
On the first day, the excitement of learning new choreography weaved its way into the work, the students immediately co-operating with new faces, new ideas, carefully building rapport with one another through sharing ideas, generating new movements and speaking the common language of dance. On day two, they travelled
to Frankfurt to take more inspiration from art work at the Städel Museum and feel the immersive nature of “Eye for an I” at the MMK – all of the new experiences fuelling their imagination. Back in the dance studio, they shared their new found inspirations and made choices about the direction of their ideas through courage and tolerance, deciding upon a selection of movements, a dance phrase or an accompaniment that supported their intention.
The evening saw all participants take a walk on the edge of the Taunus in the dark, a chance to further develop trust and share compassion with those around them. They finished the day around a bonfire, a chance to reflect on the day's activities and have some marshmallows – one of life’s true small pleasures!
Day three was a chance for participants to further develop their ideas, to feel free to make mistakes in trial and error, and find forgiveness and empathy when things were a struggle. Without struggle are we truly being honest? With new found connections are struggles easier? Not everyone shared the same level of technical training in dance and there was a beautiful sense of altruism shown throughout the festival where participants openly shared their experience in a supportive and empathetic manner.
All of this and more led a cascade of first timers into a wonderful waltz of ensemble-driven work that gave much more than small pleasure to all involved. A tree, if you will, that grew so fast in such a short time, yet developed such great strength and stability that its roots will remain, memories made, and hopefully communicate with other similar shared experiences.
Jez Gregg
FIS Dance Teacher
Scan the QR code above to see more from the ISTA Dance Festival hosted at FIS.
May 2024 FIS World 17