Tanztriennale 2026: Chen Wu-kang & Pichet Klunchun - Choreographing Story "Rama House"

In the organizer's words:

Performance as part of the Tanztriennale Hamburg, June 14 - 21, 2026

The piece explores dance traditions and the art of storytelling in Southeast Asia. The result of two years of research in Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Indonesia, the project draws inspiration from the ancient Sanskrit epic 'Ramayana', one of the foundational texts of Hinduism. Through gestures, symbols and oral tradition, the two choreographers question the freedom and power of storytelling as expressed in traditional dance forms. The performance combines documentary footage of encounters with dance masters, live electronic music and multimedia creations. These elements intertwine, connecting the past and the present, transforming the stage into a living archive of memories, beliefs and cultural heritage - and showing how the stories of the gods still resonate in our lives today.

Thai dancer and choreographer Pichet Klunchun offers a contemporary approach to classical Thai dance, without neglecting the heart and wisdom of the art form. From the age of 16, he studied khon, the classical Thai mask dance, with khon master Chaiyot Khummanee. In 2001, he traveled to the USA on a scholarship from the Asian Cultural Council and later worked with Jérôme Bel on "Pichet Kluchun and myself" (2004), which won the Princess Margriet Award from the European Cultural Foundation. Klunchun founded the Pichet Klunchun Dance Company in 2010 with the aim of creating contemporary dance productions and working with young professional dancers with a background in classical Thai dance. Based in Bangkok, the company has been touring internationally throughout Asia, Europe and North America since 2010.

Language(s): English with German surtitles. The participatory part will be in English, German and DGS.
Accessibility: wheelchair-accessible, beanbag seating available, powerful images, with hearing amplification via induction loop, pick-up and escort service on request
Info: Possible triggers / sensory stimuli: loud noises, light use of fog and strobe light

Price information:

Regular 28,- Reduced 16,- EUR