Dancing Storytellers: Ballet Celebrates Inclusion and Enthusiasm!

Dancing Storytellers: Ballet Celebrates Inclusion and Enthusiasm!

July 13, 2025 will remain unforgettable in Bietigheim-Bissingen. On this day, the much-anticipated Dance Festival took place, transforming the stage into a colorful spectacle. The choreographies were not only particularly beautiful, but also staged in great detail, which captivated the audience. The young ballet children, aged seven to nine, performed alongside cute cuddly toys such as a fox, a cat and a koala bear. Her passion and joy for dancing was contagious and ensured a warm reception from the audience.

Rehearsals for this special performance began in January at Christina Blokkus' dance school. The performance was a highlight of the ballet year and marked the end before the summer holidays. But the festival had even more to offer: In the second part of the performance, four walkers were brought onto the stage, symbolizing the inclusion of older people and people with disabilities. This idea was supported by the Theo Lorch workshops and represented a danced journey around the world, led by dance teacher Nela Mauermann.

Inclusion and dance

Particular attention was paid to inclusion during the festival. The Dark Companions seen on stage during the performance symbolized the challenges people face in life. This profound message was very well received, which not least led to the standing ovation at the end of the evening. It is gratifying to see how events like this dance festival not only promote artistic expression, but also address important social issues.

The fact that the Dance Festival has existed in Neukölln since 2019 under the direction of Friederike Jentsch and Kia Paasch shows that the interest in cultural education and contemporary dance is unbroken. The two founders, who met during further training in dance education and choreography at the University of the Arts, have created a platform with this festival that promotes the visibility of the actors and the networking of schools. Patron Karin Korte in particular emphasizes how important it is that the festival continues despite the challenges of the pandemic.

Impressions and inspiration

The festival in Bietigheim-Bissingen is an excellent example of how art and education can come together. The ballet children's inspiring performances and inclusive dance performance demonstrate that dance is a universal language that creates bridges and connects people, regardless of age or ability. Even though the evening is now over, the hope remains that such impressive events will continue to be held to enrich the cultural landscape and increase awareness of inclusion. For anyone who would like to learn more about inclusive dance pedagogy, the book “Inclusive Dance Pedagogy” by Maria Dinold is recommended, whose ISBN can be found on the literature pages of the Berlin State Library.

We can look forward to the coming years and hope that the joy of dance will continue after this successful evening. This can only be good for the community and the artistic development of everyone involved. Further information and an exciting perspective on the festival can be found at Neukölln dances website and at the Bietigheim newspaper.