Biljana Tanurovska - Kjulavkovski, Iskra Šukarova: Locomotion - festival for contemporary dance and culture (2008)

The LocoMotion Festival 2008-2016 was dedicated to showcasing and celebrating contemporary performing arts (dance, performance, and theatre) in Europe, the region, and Macedonia. It aimed to foster dialogue on the positioning of these art forms within both local and international contexts.

The festival was related with the region and was aligning with European scenes, presenting cutting-edge works through what it positioned Skopje as a space contemporary dance and performance. 

In addition to performances, LocoMotion incorporated workshops, debates, and discussions, broadening the understanding of contemporary performing arts while addressing socio-poltical themes. The festival served as a platform for artistic exchange and collaboration, facilitating networks between artists and organizations from the Balkans, Europe, and beyond. 

The festival's objectives included presenting the latest works from the region to Macedonian and international audiences, stimulating local productions, promoting Macedonian authors internationally, and encouraging cultural exchange and cooperation between regional and international artists. It successfully positioned Skopje as a city of urban creativity and innovation on the European map while contributing to the redefinition of regional and local artistic landscapes.

Through its support for local cultural production, LocoMotion invested in Macedonia's cultural and social capital, contributing to its representation within intercultural frameworks and fostering strategies for broader international integration.

The LocoMotion Festival aimed to present and highlight contemporary performing arts, fostering discussions on their positioning within European and Macedonian contexts. Its first edition in 2008 featured an impressive main program with performances from renowned artists and emerging talents:

• John by Goran Bogdanovski (Slovenia) premiered at Joyce SOHO, New York.
• Neem by Aleksandra Janeva (Croatia).
• Formula by Iskra Shukarova (Macedonia) and Dejan Srhoj (Slovenia), previously performed in France and Italy, with support from choreographer Joseph Nadj, who granted them a residency and performance in Orleans.
• Imago by Violeta Vitanova and Stanislav Genadiev (Bulgaria).
• Villiger and Biography by Marijana Savovska (Macedonia/Germany).
• Julie(t) - Duet in Absentia by Jasmina Prolić (France).
• Performances by Nomad Dance Academy students, including Kire Miladinovski, Kire Gjorevski (Macedonia), Nina Božić (Slovenia), and Marko Jastrevsky (Croatia).

The additional program included debates and discussions on cultural policies, international cooperation, professionalization of contemporary dance, and interdisciplinary approaches in dance and theatre. Presentations on costume design in performing arts and dance workshops were also integral to the festival, promoting artistic exchange and collaboration.

With its debut in 2008, LocoMotion established a strong foundation to become an annual event every October, positioning Skopje as a creative hub on the European cultural map. The festival sought to stimulate the local performing arts scene, enhance its visibility internationally, and foster strategic cultural partnerships.

The LocoMotion Festival (2008–2016) was a new space in the field of contemporary performing arts, specifically focusing on contemporary dance and performance in Macedonia and the broader region. Rooted in a commitment to socio-political engagement and artistic experimentation, the festival sought to disrupt conventional dance art paradigms by positioning contemporary dance as a reflective, critically engaged, and contextually relevant art form.

As a platform for discoursive and performative practice, LocoMotion emphasized both aesthetic development and the articulation of pressing socio-political concerns. It sought to align the Macedonian dance scene with European and global currents by curating cutting-edge works that positioned Skopje as a significant node in the international network of contemporary dance and performance. Besides performances, the festival's discursive dimension was fundamental, incorporating workshops, debates, and discussions aimed at nurturing critical dialogue. These activities not only expanded understandings of contemporary performing arts but also questioned cultural, political, and artistic dynamics, encouraging transnational collaborations and solidarities across the Balkans and Europe.

The festival's objectives extended beyond mere presentation - to the cultivation of a fertile ground for artistic exchange, production, and critical reflection. By showcasing regional and international works, it sought to stimulate local artistic productions, promote Macedonian artists internationally, and foster collaborative frameworks among diverse artistic communities.

Importantly, LocoMotion contributed to reshaping the regional and local artistic landscape. Through its sustained support for local cultural production and the establishment of collaborative networks, it played a pivotal role in developing the working conditions necessary for the thriving of contemporary dance and performance art practices. By bridging local and international perspectives, the festival catalyzed a reimagining of the possibilities for artistic and socio-political engagement in the region.

The LocoMotion Festival presented:

• John by Goran Bogdanovski (Slovenia) premiered at Joyce SOHO, New York.
• Neem by Aleksandra Janeva (Croatia).
• Formula by Iskra Shukarova (Macedonia) and Dejan Srhoj (Slovenia), previously performed in France and Italy, with support from choreographer Joseph Nadj, who granted them a residency and performance in Orleans.
• Imago by Violeta Vitanova and Stanislav Genadiev (Bulgaria).
• Villiger and Biography by Marijana Savovska (Macedonia/Germany).
• Julie(t) - Duet in Absentia by Jasmina Prolić (France).
• Performances by Nomad Dance Academy students, including Kire Miladinovski, Kire Gjorevski (Macedonia), Nina Božić (Slovenia), and Marko Jastrevsky (Croatia).

The additional program included debates and discussions on cultural policies, international cooperation, professionalization of contemporary dance, and interdisciplinary approaches in dance and theatre. Presentations on costume design in performing arts and dance workshops were also integral to the festival, promoting artistic exchange and collaboration.

With its debut in 2008, LocoMotion established a strong foundation to become an annual event every October. It stopped functioning in 2016 due to lack of support by the local and national authorities.