Europe Asia News

Blending Turkish folk dance traditions with modern English social dance, AYNA highlights the unifying power of dance and will take the stage at the İzmir Ahmed Adnan Saygun Arts Centre on 12 June at 9:00 PM.

Led by British-Turkish choreographer Ceyda Tanc, the group's athletic contemporary dance works draw inspiration from traditional Turkish folk dances. Their distinctive aesthetic subverts the virtuosic movements of male Turkish folk dancers by performing them entirely with a female cast, creating mesmerising forms that express a united strength and a powerful yet sensual energy.

Ceyda Tanc's work challenges traditional gender representation in dance and aims to promote cultural intersections in modern Britain. Drawing on themes of ritual, ceremony and community, Ceyda creates unapologetically feminist pieces.

The company's distinctive style reflects the masterful movements of male Turkish folk dancers through an all-female ensemble. Combining athletic contemporary dance with folk dances and global dance styles, it expresses mesmerising forms, unified power, and a strong yet sensual energy.

AYNA is a powerful exploration of ritual and the quest for love, acceptance, and connection—whether human, physical, or spiritual. Reflecting choreographer Ceyda Tanc's dual heritage, it weaves Turkish folk dance traditions with modern English social dance, reflecting dance's power to unite us.

With hypnotic rhythms and striking synchronisation, an all-female cast references the meditative movements of whirling dervishes, traditionally performed by men. Accompanied by Asta Hiroki's captivating film score, which blends Eastern and Western sounds, this unmissable dance performance celebrates togetherness and the desire for universal belonging.

Composer and DJ Asta Hiroki, who has been collaborating with Ceyda Tanc Dance for many years, works as a jazz/electronic music producer and visual artist in Paris, the capital of France. She is a regular contributor to trend-setting radio stations such as BBC6Music (Tom Ravenscroft, Cerys Matthews, Don Letts, Iggy Pop, Deb Grant, Huey Morgan), BBC Radio 1 (DJ Jaguar), BBC3, KCRW, and KEXP. Hiroki plans to release a collaborative album with Tristan de Liège and her next solo album in 2025 through Folded Music.

The dancers of AYNA, choreographed by Ceyda Tanç, who also serves as artistic director and choreographer, will perform on stage wearing costumes by DALA. The cast includes Chloe Mead, Colette Kite, Gabby Sanders, Gemma Shrubb, Hattie Musgrove, Isobel Gosney, and Marta Swierczynska. AYNA, set to music by composer Asta Hiroki, is produced by Hayley Ovens. The production is supported by Arts Council England, Brighton Festival, and DanceEast, with the 38th International İzmir Festival presentation of AYNA supported by FABRIC International.