ABOUT THE KDF

Karlovac Dance Festival (KDF) was launched in 2011 by the Center for Dance and Performing Arts F.R.E.E. D.A.N.C.E. Karlovac as an initiative and a space open to collaboration, as well as the exchange of knowledge and experience, with the aim of fostering and supporting the development of contemporary dance art.

The KDF project strives to realize and enrich socio-cultural, educational, and creative values. Its goal is to establish in Karlovac an international partner-based dance project, with a focus on a production platform, multicultural and artistic collaborations, residencies, research projects, and open dialogue between artists, audiences, and both national and international participants.

F.R.E.E. D.A.N.C.E.

FREE DANCE is an association for dance and performing arts founded in 2004.

Primary activities:
dance education, organization, collaboration, and production of dance and performing arts projects, as well as the development of dance art.

Goals:
promotion of cultural and educational dance-related objectives; creating conditions for the development of contemporary dance.

Strategy:
creativity, research-based work, and developmental dance programs.

Karlovac Dance Festival 001

KDF 001 / “Open Doors”

International festival of contemporary dance and performing arts.

• International guest performances
• Production platform
• Research laboratory for contemporary dance
• Collaborations and dialogue

Program organizer: Center for Dance and Performing Arts F.R.E.E. D.A.N.C.E.

Festival director: Melita Spahić Bezjak

The festival project aims to develop socio-cultural, educational, and creative values, with particular attention to the identity of the Karlovac, Croatian, and international dance scene.

Project Goals

Main objectives

• Multicultural production and artistic collaborations
• Development of professional experience in festival production
• International and national exchange of knowledge and experience

Additional objectives

• Presentation of works by Croatian dance authors
• Presentation of international artists and educational content
• Development of Karlovac as a center of contemporary dance culture
• Production of international residency projects

Educational and cultural aspects

• Non-formal education for children, youth, and adults
• Audience development and access to information
• International cultural exchange
• Creation of new choreographic works
• Development of dance writing and discourse

“Culture and creativity are part of citizens’ everyday lives…”

Festival Locations

The festival takes place at open-air locations across the city of Karlovac:

• Karlovac Star (historic center) and streets
• Parks
• Korana River
• Dubovac Old Town
• Korzo

Special emphasis is placed on the lack of dedicated performance spaces for dance in Karlovac.

Partners 2011

International partners

• Veedha, Athens (Greece)
• Improvisamente, Sardinia (Italy)
• Melita Spahić Dance, London (UK)
• Atxarte Lopez de Munain (Basque Country)
• Avatara Ayuso Dance Company (UK/Spain)

Partners in Croatia

• Studio 23 Karlovac
• Promenada Club
• Kino Klub Karlovac

Future and Vision

The project encourages the development of the contemporary dance scene in Karlovac and Croatia through long-term cultural initiatives.

Mission of KDF

• Increase audiences for contemporary dance
• Encourage open communication and access to information
• Develop the cultural and personal identity of the city
• International recognition of Karlovac
• Development of dance strategy at local and national levels

The project includes exhibitions, lectures, a dance library and video archive, as well as educational screenings that provide broader access to materials on contemporary dance.