AS WE ARE in Duisburg: Dancing Memory in the Blast Furnace Complex
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AS WE ARE: When dance becomes memory and resistance
With AS WE ARE, the Ruhrtriennale 2026 brings an evening of dance to Duisburg that intertwines political history, physical presence, and poetic power. In the blast furnace complex of the Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord, two choreographic voices, Germaine Acogny and Gregory Maqoma, meet, understanding the body not merely as a form, but as a living archive.
An evening that embodies history rather than narrating it
The European premiere connects two works that address freedom, resistance, and belonging from different perspectives. In Josephine, Germaine Acogny embodies the legacy of Josephine Baker, an icon whose biography is marked by brilliance, self-assertion, and political courage. In Bantu, Gregory Maqoma responds to this energy with an ensemble of twelve dancers, unfolding a stage experience about connection, humanity, and collective strength.
The bodies speak where words reach their limits
The Ruhrtriennale describes the evening as dancing resistance and humanity - and therein lies its tension. Acogny, considered a defining teacher and choreographer of African contemporary dance, brings experience, dignity, and movement intelligence to the stage. Maqoma counters this with a powerful, communal choreography. Thus, a production emerges where dramaturgy, lighting, set design, and acoustics do not embellish but condense.
Industrial cathedral with a special theater atmosphere
The blast furnace complex in the Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord provides the ideal resonance space. The monumental architecture of the former steelworks enhances every gesture, every breath, and every audience reaction. Here, dance achieves a rare magnitude: raw, immediate, and close to the body. The venue is designed for events with approximately 100 to 600 guests; accessibility is marked at the site, and arrival by public transport, bicycle, and car is well described.
Practical advice for attending the performance
The performances take place on September 16, 18, and 19, 2026, each at 8 PM. The venue is located at Emscherstr. 71 in Duisburg-M Meiderich. The Ruhrtriennale tickets are valid for outbound and return travel on the event day within the VRR; the visitor parking at the site is free of charge. The playing duration is 30 minutes for Josephine and 35 minutes for Bantu, with a break between the two parts.
Conclusion: A dance evening with resonance
AS WE ARE promises not a decorative evening, but an intense stage experience between memory, political power, and choreographic precision. Those seeking theater as a sensory and intellectual experience will find an evening of rare clarity and presence here. Experience it live now and feel the special atmosphere in the Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord.
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- Website: https://www.ruhrtriennale.de/de/programm/as-we-are/220
