What happens when dance and spoken word come together? In the project Dancing Words Spoken Dance 2.0, children from special education discover how to tell their story through movement and words.
During project weeks in Suriname and Curaçao, students work together with professional dancers and spoken word artists. They take part in workshops where they use their bodies and voices to share their own ideas, emotions, and stories. The project shows that art can be a powerful way to build self-confidence, collaborate, and discover new talents.
The project builds on a previous edition in Paramaribo, where 80 special education students were introduced to dance and spoken word for the first time. The experience was so positive that the program is now being expanded so even more children can participate.
Workshops and final presentation
During the project weeks, students attend dance and spoken word workshops. In small groups, they work step by step on their own choreography or text. The workshops are led by artists from the Netherlands, Suriname, and Curaçao.
At the end of the project week, students present their work in a festive final presentation for fellow students, parents, teachers, and invited guests. Here, they show what they have learned and how they bring their story to life.
Schools
Schools in Paramaribo:
Mytylschool
Grietjebieschool
Schools in Curaçao:
Skola Myrna Dovale
Blenchischool
In addition to the active dance and spoken word workshops, the team also provides so-called “teach the teacher” sessions for special education teachers in Suriname and Curaçao. These sessions enable teachers to exchange tools with one another and gain new approaches in the field of arts education.
In total, around 180 students participate in the workshops.
Artists
The workshops are led by dancers and dance teachers from Introdans and by spoken word artists from the Netherlands and the Caribbean. They collaborate with local artists and teachers to guide the students in creating their own work.
One of the participating spoken word artists is Georgios Lazakis, who works with the students on texts and performance.
Partners
Dancing Words Spoken Dance 2.0 is a collaboration between several organizations dedicated to inclusive arts education:
Introdans
Ilonka Elmont Foundation
De Onderwijsspecialisten
Fonds Kind & Handicap
Together, they aim to ensure that more children with disabilities have access to art and culture. This project is made possible in part by the ELJA Foundation and Fonds Kind & Handicap.
Art for everyone
The project demonstrates how dance and language can contribute to personal growth. By creating together, students get to know themselves better and discover that their voice and movement matter.
