In the ILLUMINATIO by 420PEOPLE

Premiere: June 06th, 2025

Location: Domus Scientiarium, Archaeological Park Viminacium, Serbia

CREDITS:

Choreography: Václav Kuneš & dancers

Dancers: Helena Arenbergerová, Michaela Kadlčíková, Václav Kuneš and Bolero Dance Club (Požarevac)

Music: Pavel Fajt – original composition

Light design: Dominik Šimurda

Production team: Marta Lajnerová, 420PEOPLE

PR manager: Aneta Jochimová

Photo credit: Vojtěch Brtnický

The choreography Illuminatio, set to premiere in June 2025 at Viminacium’s Domus Scientiarium, explores the spiritual dimension of aging. Developed as part of 420PEOPLE’s ongoing work with dancers over 42 years, the piece challenges the paradigm that dance is solely tied to youthful virtuosity. Instead, it highlights the depth, knowledge and embodied wisdom that come with experience. The performance features three dancers and live music by drummer Pavel Fajt, whose compositions elevate percussion to a central role. Complementing the cast, 20 women from the Bolero group bring their presence to the stage, reinforcing the theme of longevity in movement and artistry. Staged in an open-air setting, the choreography unfolds in four distinct levels reflecting the idea of four seasons of life.

At the heart of Illuminatio lies a unique collaboration between professional artists and passionate non-professional performers. Now in its second year, the partnership with the Bolero group has become a space of shared discovery and exchange. The women of Bolero contribute not only as performers, but also as storytellers—their personal reflections on aging and ageism within the local community are woven into the artistic process itself. These narratives inform the movement, music and emotional atmosphere of the piece. Professional artists are equally transformed—learning from the group’s life experience, traditions and intuitive approach to dance. Through this dialogue, Illuminatio transcends performance, becoming a living reflection on time, memory and interweaving of artistic practice with social and intergenerational experience.

VÁCLAV KUNEŠ

420PEOPLE

420PEOPLE is a company of contemporary dance, in the name of which the creators have written a Czech telephone code. The ensemble was founded by dance choreographers Václav Kuneš and Nataša Novotná at the turn of 2007/2008 after their return from a stint with one of the world’s most prestigious dance theatre companies – Jiří Kylián’s Nederlands Dans Theater. Their shared vision to build their own contemporary dance company in Prague gave birth to the 420PEOPLE brand, which has been active on the Czech and international scene for 17 years.

The company is a combination of modern level of interpretation, professionalism, originality, thoughtful playfulness and courage. Since 2018, artistic director and choreographer Václav Kuneš has taken over the leadership of the company. 420PEOPLE collaborates with dozens of Czech and international dancers and artists on stage, in dance films and online live broadcasts. With such a breadth of scope, the company maintains a stable place among the finest independent arts entities. The company stages and performs more than 110 performances annually in the Czech Republic and abroad.

The activities of the company within the project are supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, the City of Prague, Václav Dejčmar and Studio Maiselovka. The project Dancing Histor(y)ies is funded by the European Union. “Creative Europe” program (Project id: 101099222).

Website: https://www.420people.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/420PEOPLE.DANCE.COMPANY/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/420people_dance/?hl=cs

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/420PEOPLEdance