In collaboration with the inclusive theater festival LAND FES and the Nieuwe Instituut, Introdans will present the new choreography UNUM by Introdans choreographer Adriaan Luteijn and renowned Japanese Butoh artist Dai Matsuoka at the World Expo 2025 in Japan in May 2025. This choreography brings together Introdans dancers and Japanese dancers alongside their (grand)parents. Representing Introdans, Angelica will perform with her father, and Mark with his mother.
UNUM (Latin: One, Unity; example: E pluribus unum – unity from diversity)
Population aging is an issue that affects us all. In the Netherlands, many elderly people face isolation, while Japan has an even older population. Almost 30% of Japanese people are aged 65 or older, but many seniors in Japan remain surprisingly active, particularly due to continued movement and exercise. Introdans and LAND FES know better than anyone that participating in dance activities can significantly enhance the lives of older adults. Dance not only benefits health but also brings joy and helps in building social connections.
NEST and Iungo
Adriaan Luteijn previously created the intergenerational choreography NEST, featuring Introdans dancers with family members, which greatly inspired LAND FES. In January 2024, Introdans choreographer Adriaan Luteijn traveled to Tokyo, Japan, to create a new version of Iungo for LAND FES, titled Iungo – The Encounter Tokyo, with a mixed Japanese cast. This inclusive choreography demonstrated the value of connecting people of different ages, backgrounds, and physical realities. The collaboration with LAND FES was highly successful and was seen as very special by both participants and audiences. The Dutch Embassy in Japan was also impressed by this cross-cultural exchange, which transcended cultural boxes and broke down social barriers. An invitation followed to explore further Dutch/Japanese artistic collaboration connected to the upcoming World Expo in Osaka 2025, which led to the choreography project UNUM.
Intergenerational
While working on Iungo Tokyo, Matsuoka and Luteijn discovered a shared interest: intergenerational work. By combining the wisdom of the elderly with the physical abilities of the younger generation (and vice versa), a fascinating process and artistic result emerges in which generations can learn a lot from each other. Thus, the idea for UNUM was born: to create a performance where different generations meet on stage.
Premiere of UNUM – Osaka, May 21, 2025
UNUM will premiere on the Netherlands National Day at the World Expo in Osaka on May 21, 2025. The theme of the Dutch Pavilion, Creating a new dawn together, aligns perfectly with this work: in addition to sustainability, it addresses the sustainability of living together. With this dance production, we share the power and value of the intergenerational perspective with a global audience.
Following this, UNUM will tour throughout Kansai Province, visiting cities like Kobe and Kyoto. During the tour, Luteijn and Matsuoka will also conduct various workshops and lectures on creating inclusive professional productions, and they will join the dancers in engaging with the audience. UNUM is made possible thanks to contributions from the Dutch Embassy in Japan and various funds.
LAND FES – Japan
LAND FES uniquely combines performing arts, local communities, and diversity. The festival organizes inclusive projects and workshops throughout the year that welcome everyone, regardless of disability, age, or nationality, aiming to create a platform that promotes social inclusion as well as cultural and artistic exchange. Introdans focuses on translating interaction, participation, and inclusion into fully-fledged professional dance productions with an inclusive cast.
Working Process
The rehearsal process for UNUM takes place in both countries. Initially, two Introdans dancers work with their respective father and mother under Luteijn’s guidance. They will then travel to Japan to meet four Japanese modern dance colleagues (from Matsuoka’s network) who will participate with their grandparent, parent, or child. Together, under the direction of both choreographers, they will further develop the production. After an initial meeting in Japan and a follow-up in the Netherlands, the group will develop the basic choreography and project process through preparatory online sessions. Their aim is to continually inspire each other and learn from each other. Matsuoka and Luteijn share artistic responsibility and work directly with the dancers.
To establish a solid foundation in Kansai Province (where Osaka is located), they contacted Yusuke Tsutsumi. Tsutsumi was a dancer at Introdans 15 years ago and is now the general director of the Sadamatsu-Hamada Ballet Company in Kobe, one of Japan’s few subsidized ballet companies with a large network in Kansai. Tsutsumi is helping with logistics and planning for the tour and is also providing dancers from his company in the Kansai/Kobe/Kyoto region who will perform in UNUM alongside their (grand)parents.