TRACHTENBUMMLER

Trachtenbummler
a folkloreografic project

Folk dances as a postcolonial dance extravaganza- inspired by the commercial success of modernly rehashing traditional dance cultures from the fringes of world, Trachtenbummler rearranges German folklore and allows it to seem as authentically ‘forgein’ and ‘exotic’ as tribal dances from Samoa. Choreographed to top-ten world music hits and clad in contemporary costumes from the Berlin Upcyling guru Daniel Kroh, Jochen Roller reveals strategies for ethnic marketing, the staging of the exotic and attempts to prove that even our native traditions are ideal for creating exoticness.

„As I was visiting different groups, all with different folklore, from all over Germany, there were three things I just kept noticing. One was the fabulous minimalist aesthetic found in the folk dance choreography; it created an instant connection to my own choreographic practice. Another was the incredibly intricate system of symbols to be found on the traditional dress, regardless of region; with such a wide variety of symbols, borders, and appliqué. And finally, the conservative way in which all of these groups attempted, doggedly, to protect their cultural heritage from any type of change or modernization. It occurred to me that it was time I did some artistic experiments with dance and tradition.“ (Jochen Roller)

premiere: 27.8.2013, 20.00 Tanz im August / Sophiensaele, Berlin

artistic direction: Jochen Roller
dance: Joavien Ng, Edouard Pelleray, Ahilan Bhuvanendra Ratnamohan, Jochen Roller, Magali Sander Fett, Latai Funaki Taumoepeau
costume design: Daniel Kroh
dramaturgy: Florian Feigl
light design: Henning Streck
production management: DepArtment
production assistance: Theresa Willeke
costume assistance: Daniel Juhart, Julia Wendler
outside eye: Andrea Keiz
A production by Jochen Roller and DepArtment in coproduction with Sophiensaele and Theater Freiburg. Funded by Hauptstadtkulturfonds (Capital Cultural Fund). With the friendly support of Tanz im August.

technical rider PDF

photo 1 – 6: Marcus Lieberenz
photo 7 – 10: Maurice Korbel