UNEXPECTED LESSONS 1: Technique Acogny – Contemporary African Dance
Workshop with Germaine Acogny
Workshop
Germaine Acogny © Huyun Kim
Ticket Prices
Workshop
10 Euro reduced 8 Euro
Combi Ticket (Workshop & Performance)
30 Euro reduced 20 Euro
African contemporary dance icon Germaine Acogny is hosting a workshop on “Technique Acogny – Contemporary African Dance” as part of the opening of the UNEXPECTED LESSONS series.
Germaine Acogny developed her own technique, which she describes as “African dance in a modern expression.” The spine is central to her work, symbolising the snake, and the tree of life. Many movements are inspired by symbolic images from nature – ranging from the Fromager tree, to the water lily, to the eagle – as well as everyday gestures. ‘Acogny Technique’ is precise, lively and powerful. The workshop will include a warm-up, floor work, and choreographic sequences, inviting dancers with previous experience to rediscover the qualities of their own movements and transform traditional forms into a contemporary and universal dance language. A unique opportunity to experience Germain Acogny in person in Berlin, and learn from her directly. The workshop will be accompanied by live music.
Visitor Information
Participation
The workshop is aimed at dancers with previous experience.
Location
The workshop will not take place at Radialsystem. The exact location will be announced shortly.
Programme
UNEXPECTED LESSON 1
Sun, 25 May 2026
15 – 17 h: „Contemporary African Dance“ – Workshop with Patrick Acogny
17 – 19 h: „LA PALABRE Space“ – Tea, Reading & Resting Room with artistic interventions
Mon, 25 May 2026
18 – 20.30 h: „LA PALABRE Space“ – Tea, Reading & Resting Room with artistic interventions
19 h: „Somewhere at the Beginning“ – Performance by Germaine Acogny
20.30 h:„Germaine Acogny. Die Essenz des Tanzes" – Film by Greta-Marie Becker
Tue, 26 May 2026
18 – 20.30 h: „LA PALABRE Space“– Tea, Reading & Resting Room with artistic interventions
19 h: „Somewhere at the Beginning“ – Performance by Germaine Acogny
Wed, 27 May 2026
14 – 16 h: „Technique Acogny – Contemporary African Dance“ – Workshop with Germaine Acogny (venue tbc)
Cast
With
Germaine Acogny
Cast
With
Germaine Acogny
Biographies
Germaine Acogny gilt weltweit als die „Mutter“ des zeitgenössischen afrikanischen Tanzes. Sie tanzt, choreografiert und unterrichtet auf der ganzen Welt und ist zu einer einflussreichen Botschafterin des afrikanischen Tanzes geworden. Gemeinsam mit ihrem Ehemann Helmut Vogt gründete sie 2004 die École des Sables, das internationale Zentrum für traditionelle und zeitgenössische afrikanische Tänze in Toubab Dialaw, Senegal. Zwischen 1977 und 1982 war sie künstlerische Leiterin von MUDRA AFRIQUE (Dakar), gegründet von Maurice Béjart und dem senegalesischen Präsidenten und Dichter Léopold Sédar Senghor. Für ihr künstlerisches Schaffen erhielt die Tanz-Ikone Germaine Acogny zahlreiche internationale Auszeichnungen, darunter 2021 den Goldenen Löwen der Tanzbiennale von Venedig für ihr Lebenswerk.
Biographies
Germaine Acogny gilt weltweit als die „Mutter“ des zeitgenössischen afrikanischen Tanzes. Sie tanzt, choreografiert und unterrichtet auf der ganzen Welt und ist zu einer einflussreichen Botschafterin des afrikanischen Tanzes geworden. Gemeinsam mit ihrem Ehemann Helmut Vogt gründete sie 2004 die École des Sables, das internationale Zentrum für traditionelle und zeitgenössische afrikanische Tänze in Toubab Dialaw, Senegal. Zwischen 1977 und 1982 war sie künstlerische Leiterin von MUDRA AFRIQUE (Dakar), gegründet von Maurice Béjart und dem senegalesischen Präsidenten und Dichter Léopold Sédar Senghor. Für ihr künstlerisches Schaffen erhielt die Tanz-Ikone Germaine Acogny zahlreiche internationale Auszeichnungen, darunter 2021 den Goldenen Löwen der Tanzbiennale von Venedig für ihr Lebenswerk.
Further Information
The series UNEXPECTED LESSONS – Knowledges of Body and Sound, which will take place from May 2026 to February 2027 at Radialsystem, explores the plural knowledge of dance, body, and sound. Interdisciplinary perspectives and practitioners from the African continent, the diaspora, and beyond will engage in dialogue with Berlin's dynamic dance scene.
The focus is on the social and political dimensions of dance, knowledge systems in music, the body as a living archive, movement as healing, a decolonial perspective on the body and dance, and a critical examination of global dance history. Performances, talks, listening sessions, and workshops transform knowledge into experience and movement.
The series kicks off with an opening program from May 24 to 27, 2026, centred around the solo performance “Somewhere At The Beginning” by Germaine Acogny, an icon of African contemporary dance, with workshops, talks, and the Berlin premiere of the documentary film “Germaine Acogny – Die Essenz des Tanzes.”
The series is curated by Isabel Raabe (artistic director) and Celina Baljeet Basra (co-curator) and accompanied by Prof. Dr. Mariama Diagne.
Programme
UNEXPECTED LESSON 1
Sun, 25 May 2026
15 – 17 h: „Contemporary African Dance“ – Workshop with Patrick Acogny
17 – 19 h: „LA PALABRE Space“ – Tea, Reading & Resting Room with artistic interventions
Mon, 25 May 2026
18 – 20.30 h: „LA PALABRE Space“ – Tea, Reading & Resting Room with artistic interventions
19 h: „Somewhere at the Beginning“ – Performance by Germaine Acogny
20.30 h:„Germaine Acogny. Die Essenz des Tanzes" – Film by Greta-Marie Becker
Tue, 26 May 2026
18 – 20.30 h: „LA PALABRE Space“– Tea, Reading & Resting Room with artistic interventions
19 h: „Somewhere at the Beginning“ – Performance by Germaine Acogny
Wed, 27 May 2026
14 – 16 h: „Technique Acogny – Contemporary African Dance“ – Workshop with Germaine Acogny (venue tbc)
Further Information
The series UNEXPECTED LESSONS – Knowledges of Body and Sound, which will take place from May 2026 to February 2027 at Radialsystem, explores the plural knowledge of dance, body, and sound. Interdisciplinary perspectives and practitioners from the African continent, the diaspora, and beyond will engage in dialogue with Berlin's dynamic dance scene.
The focus is on the social and political dimensions of dance, knowledge systems in music, the body as a living archive, movement as healing, a decolonial perspective on the body and dance, and a critical examination of global dance history. Performances, talks, listening sessions, and workshops transform knowledge into experience and movement.
The series kicks off with an opening program from May 24 to 27, 2026, centred around the solo performance “Somewhere At The Beginning” by Germaine Acogny, an icon of African contemporary dance, with workshops, talks, and the Berlin premiere of the documentary film “Germaine Acogny – Die Essenz des Tanzes.”
The series is curated by Isabel Raabe (artistic director) and Celina Baljeet Basra (co-curator) and accompanied by Prof. Dr. Mariama Diagne.
Visitor Information
Participation
The workshop is aimed at dancers with previous experience.
Location
The workshop will not take place at Radialsystem. The exact location will be announced shortly.
Credits
The series ‘UNEXPECTED LESSONS – Knowledges of Body and Sound’ is supported by the LOTTO Foundation Berlin. An event as part of the TALKING OBJECTS LAB.
Media partners Radialsystem: taz. die tageszeitung, tip Berlin, Rausgegangen, The Berliner.
Credits
The series ‘UNEXPECTED LESSONS – Knowledges of Body and Sound’ is supported by the LOTTO Foundation Berlin. An event as part of the TALKING OBJECTS LAB.
Media partners Radialsystem: taz. die tageszeitung, tip Berlin, Rausgegangen, The Berliner.
African contemporary dance icon Germaine Acogny is hosting a workshop on “Technique Acogny – Contemporary African Dance” as part of the opening of the UNEXPECTED LESSONS series.
Germaine Acogny developed her own technique, which she describes as “African dance in a modern expression.” The spine is central to her work, symbolising the snake, and the tree of life. Many movements are inspired by symbolic images from nature – ranging from the Fromager tree, to the water lily, to the eagle – as well as everyday gestures. ‘Acogny Technique’ is precise, lively and powerful. The workshop will include a warm-up, floor work, and choreographic sequences, inviting dancers with previous experience to rediscover the qualities of their own movements and transform traditional forms into a contemporary and universal dance language. A unique opportunity to experience Germain Acogny in person in Berlin, and learn from her directly. The workshop will be accompanied by live music.
Cast
With
Germaine Acogny
Biographies
Germaine Acogny gilt weltweit als die „Mutter“ des zeitgenössischen afrikanischen Tanzes. Sie tanzt, choreografiert und unterrichtet auf der ganzen Welt und ist zu einer einflussreichen Botschafterin des afrikanischen Tanzes geworden. Gemeinsam mit ihrem Ehemann Helmut Vogt gründete sie 2004 die École des Sables, das internationale Zentrum für traditionelle und zeitgenössische afrikanische Tänze in Toubab Dialaw, Senegal. Zwischen 1977 und 1982 war sie künstlerische Leiterin von MUDRA AFRIQUE (Dakar), gegründet von Maurice Béjart und dem senegalesischen Präsidenten und Dichter Léopold Sédar Senghor. Für ihr künstlerisches Schaffen erhielt die Tanz-Ikone Germaine Acogny zahlreiche internationale Auszeichnungen, darunter 2021 den Goldenen Löwen der Tanzbiennale von Venedig für ihr Lebenswerk.
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