The programme begins with the documentary Muses, in which the viewer is immersed in the world of choreographer Jordy Dik. ‘To really get to know me, you have to get to know the people who touch my soul like no one else,’ says Jordy.

At the invitation of Hofesh Shechter, Jordy was given the opportunity to work with the renowned Shechter II of Hofesh Shechter Company from London in the summer of 2024. A dream that came true through the “Fast Forward” programme of the Performing Arts Fund. ‘But dreams that come true for you alone are not satisfying.’ That is why he took five dancers from Compagnie Tiuri with him – a leading and inclusive dance theatre company that has enchanted the Netherlands in recent years with groundbreaking productions (BNG Bank Dance Prize '23).

Jordy is co-founder and artistic director of the company and believes in, trusts and values no one more than these extraordinary dancers. He considers them his Muses. In the documentary of the same name, a new and exciting world unfolds in London, where the company is away from home for the first time for such a long period, forging new friendships, finding inspiration, taking on challenges and, above all, experiencing moving moments.

After the documentary, the dance film A Bird Named Mansour will be screened. This is the artistic and cinematic outcome of the ten days that both companies shared together. The film is based on the disturbing reality of today's world; a world full of chaos, where countless children are forced to flee their homes in search of safety. The film directly reflects the choices made by world leaders, who too often choose violence instead of saving lives, and thus forms a sharp critique of the current global landscape.

Inspired by birds, symbols of freedom and the desire to fly towards a peaceful future, the film speaks to the simple yet profound desire to live together in harmony. At its core, A Bird Named Mansour is both a mirror of our times and a call for change, reminding us that none of us can truly be free until freedom applies to everyone.