UNEXPECTED LESSONS 1: Technique Acogny – Contemporary African Dance

Workshop with Germaine Acogny

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.

Artists/Collaborators: Germaine Acogny (Mit), Baye Mor Dieng (Musik)

The series ‘UNEXPECTED LESSONS – Knowledges of Body and Sound’ is supported by the LOTTO Foundation Berlin. In cooperation with the Betty Center for Movement Research in Dance Studies at LMU Munich. An event as part of the TALKING OBJECTS LAB.

Media partners Radialsystem: taz. die tageszeitung, tip Berlin, Rausgegangen, The Berliner.

UNEXPECTED LESSON 1 

Sun, 24 May 202612 – 14 h: „Contemporary African Dance“ – Workshop with Patrick Acogny15 – 17 h: „Contemporary African Dance“ – Workshop with Patrick Acogny17 – 19 h: „LA PALABRE Space“ – Tea, Reading & Resting Room with artistic interventions*

Mon, 25 May 202618 – 20.30 h: „LA PALABRE Space“ – Tea, Reading & Resting Room with artistic interventions*19 h: „Somewhere at the Beginning“ – Performance by Germaine Acogny20.30 h:„Germaine Acogny. Die Essenz des Tanzes" – Film by Greta-Marie Becker

Tue, 26 May 202618 – 20.30 h: „LA PALABRE Space“– Tea, Reading & Resting Room with artistic interventions*19 h: „Somewhere at the Beginning“ – Performance by Germaine AcognyArtist Talk afterwards

Wed, 27 May 202614 – 16 h: „Technique Acogny – Contemporary African Dance“ – Workshop with Germaine Acogny (Tanzfabrik Berlin, Möckernstr. 68, 10965 Berlin)

*The program at LA PALABRE Space is curated by Arantxa Ciafrino.

Next date:

• Date Wednesday, 27/May/2026 14:00 bis 16:00
• Venue Radialsystem V
• Address Holzmarktstraße 33, 10243 Berlin-Friedrichshain