Crossing Festival; Fringe Festival; Crossing.Kunming

Since 2005 CultureXpress Foundation co-produces contemporary dance theatre festivals in several cities in China. Each year participants from the Netherlands take part. In 2007 Warner & Consorten, 2movedancecompany and Cinedans (dance film festival from the Netherlands) were present. Apart from performances and screenings the Dutch participants also provided workshops and lectures.

Dutch contemporary performing artists take part in Chinese independent festivals

Crossing Festival in Beijing (produced by the Living Dance Studio) and Fringe in Shanghai (produced by Fringe Theatre Studio) are important festivals for contemporary dance theater with a experimental signature.  In 2007 a third sister- festival was established in Kunming: Crossing.Kunming.

The festivals aim to attract a general audience with socially engaged performances. They present the work of international and Chinese performers. An extraordinary occasion, because of the difficulties Chinese independent artists experience when presenting their work in China. All three festivals provide a platform for exchange between European and Chinese dance makers and a breeding ground for further initiatives and collaboration projects.

An important objective of the festivals is to provide professionals and performing arts students with new ideas and visions - not only through the programmed performances, but also through workshops (e.g. by 2movedance at the Shanghai Theatre Academy, Hans Beenhakker in Beijing and Shanghai) and lectures (by e.g. Warner van Wely and Janine Dijkmeijer). In this way the festivals aim to stimulate an independent way of thinking among young artists.

The festivals are coproduced by the Dutch CultureXpress Foundation. The Netherlands were well represented in all editions so far: Emio Greco|PC (2005); anoukvandijkdc and Cinedans (2006); Warner & Consorten, 2movedancecompany and Cinedans in 2007.