𝐁𝐔𝐘 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐓:
https://booking.teatrumanoel.mt/event/7281/2nd_malta_festival_of_ideas_%C7%80i_am_alex_-_moveo_dance_company?theatreAreaID=1004&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExU1A1VzJzWk5KU0toa0xCMgEeJYykouYxz40N308UTIA31OwmCQzHJg2CaRd-KrINGTH9aolNaEGXCSIUFhs_aem_SvQhLNZLVlouL46sG5uYug
𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: 10th October, 2025
𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲: 8:00 - 9:00 PM
𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Casino Maltese, Valletta
Xlokk – a contemporary dance work inspired by Malta’s poetic folk tradition of għana, reimagined through movement, music, and storytelling.
Xlokk (Southeast) is a contemporary performance that delves into the essence of Maltese folk music through sound and movement, with a particular focus on għana – the improvised, poetic song tradition that speaks to our collective identity.
The work explores key questions: How can we breathe new life into the stories told through għana? And what can these stories reveal about who we are and where we’re headed?
Though għana is rooted in oral improvisation, Xlokk is a fully composed and choreographed work inspired by its expressive qualities. Through contemporary dance, the performers embody the rhythms and emotional layers of this tradition, retelling its stories in a physical language that resonates with today’s audiences. The interplay between sound and movement creates a dynamic, immersive experience that reinforces the show’s exploration of tradition and innovation.
Music and voice here are not background elements, but integral parts of the storytelling, deepening the work’s conceptual and emotional impact. Xlokk is inspired by the cultural textures of southeastern Malta and draws on Southeast Mediterranean influences. At the same time, it is unmistakably modern – a work that philosophically looks to the future. It reflects on how heritage can transform, and what it means to carry forward the stories embedded in our music and memory.
𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗼 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆
Founded in 2008 by Dorian Mallia and now co-directed by Diane Portelli, Moveo has emerged as a leading voice in Malta’s contemporary dance scene. With a diverse ensemble of local and international dancers, the company is noted for its exquisite technical precision and bold imagination.
Moveo’s repertoire weaves together original choreographic creations such as Frida, Carmen, and The Other Door – What’s Wrong, which have graced stages across Europe and beyond — from London, Berlin, and Washington DC to Denmark and Romania. Their boundary-crossing vision has taken them into festivals and initiatives such as Notte Bianca, Malta International Arts Festival, Science in the City, Ziguzajg Kids & Youth Festival, and contributions to regional showcases of Maltese creative excellence.
A hallmark of Moveo’s ethos is its twin commitment to theatrical innovation and meaningful outreach. Through Moveo Shine, the company engages schools, children’s festivals, and community programs with performances and workshops designed to bring dance to new audiences, including those often marginalised or underserved.
Their dedication to creative daring has earned widespread recognition: Moveo’s co-leaders were named Artists of the Year, the company received the Best Creative Enterprise Award, and several of their productions — such as Diversely Typical, From Malta with Love, and Frida – My Two Accidents — have garnered top honours for creativity and audience acclaim.
At the heart of Moveo’s work lies a restless exploration of movement, identity, and the human condition. Their creative process remains fluid and evolving, shaped by collaboration, daring ideas, and an enduring fascination with what it means to move — and to be moved — on stage.
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