In the Proserpina: Raíces y Flores by 420PEOPLE

Premiere: July 06th, 2025

Location: Merida, Spain

CREDITS:

Choreography: Václav Kuneš & dancers

Dancers: Eliška Hulínská, Eliška Jirsová, Veronika Tököly, Filip Staněk, Michal Toman

Music: DJ Exhausted Modern

Music LIVE: Grupo de Coros y Danzas – La Rondalla

Costumes: Olo Křížová

Facilitators: Juan-Carlos Tirado, Javier Llanos, Raquel Bazo

Production: Marta Lajnerová, 420PEOPLE

PR manager: Aneta Jochimová

Photo credit: Vojtěch Brtnický

The choreography for the Mérida takes inspiration from the myth of Proserpina (Persephone) exploring its underlying dualities rather than retelling the entire story. The work highlights the constant tension between opposites—life and death, destruction and renewal, the human world and the underworld. This interplay is embodied through movement as well as through scenography and costume design. A single portal serves as the primary stage element, reinforcing the sense of transition and transformation. The dancers’ jackets feature “portal-like” opened at the back reveal contrasting colors that symbolize the myth’s inherent dichotomies.

A key element of the piece is its collaboration with the traditional music and dance group Grupo de Coros y Danzas – La Rondalla. This ensemble of passionate non-professional musicians brings the authenticity of local folk traditions to the stage, creating a dialogue between past and present. Their live performance integrated with a contemporary electronic score by DJ Exhausted Modern, underscores the cyclical nature of life, echoing the myth’s themes of seasonal change. Through this fusion of movement and sound the choreography seeks to bridge generations, blending ancient heritage with modern artistic expression.

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/

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