VENICE It takes the long view to imagine the future through the generative power of art: Myth Makers/Creatori di miti is the theme of the 19th International Festival of Contemporary Dance that will run from July 17 to August 2 in Venice.
“Myths have played a crucial role throughout history,” Director Wayne McGregor says “by providing a framework for understanding existence, morality, and the cosmos. They help us express our fears, aspirations, and the mysteries of life. As societies evolve, so do their myths. Through their inexplicable creativity quest,” continues McGregor, “artists have always been the mythmakers of their day.”
8 world premieres, 7 European premieres, 5 Italian premieres, more than 160 artists will be involved in the 75 events open to the public. These are the figures of 2025 ediiton.
Several of the top-tier names in international choreography will be in Venice with new creations in co-commission or coproduction with La Biennale and other important institutions and festivals. Among the others, Marcos Morau will present the world premiere of La Mort i la Primavera, inspired by the universal myth of death and rebirth, and by the posthumous work by Mercè Rodoreda. Another Italian premiere will be Friends of Forsythe, featuring William Forsythe in collaboration with Rauf “RubberLegz” Yasit, Lex Ishimoto, Riley Watts, Brigel Gjoka, and the JA Collective (Aidan Carberry & Jordan Johnson), celebrating the diversity of the cultures of dance and the transformative power of this discipline that can unite people on a profound level.
Last but not least, The 2025 Lions: the American choreographer and dancer Twyla Tharp will receive the Festival’s Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement and will inaugurate the Festival (July 17) with Slacktide, a new creation, together with her famous choreography from 1998, Diabelli. A diptych that celebrates sixty years of activity with her company on its Diamond Jubilee Tour, started on January 26 in Minneapolis and now coming to the Biennale for its European premiere.
A key exponent of the South American experimental scene, Carolina Bianchi, the Silver Lion, will present the Italian premiere of the second chapter in the trilogy, Cadela Força: The Brotherhood, a work that centers on masculinity and the male gaze.
The Complete programme of shows, workshops and evens is available on Biennale website

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