Audience Location:
Halle
Date and Time:
June 24, 2017 at 9:30 AM
Water Locale:
The Zenne
Choreographer(s):
Stephanie de Bruyckere leading choreographer
We have an enthousiastic group of Dance Movement Therapists and students. Together we create and practice the dance with local people. Everybody is welcome.
AgapeBelgium is a center that promotes trainings in embodied practices like dance movement therapy. Another field the center covers is the application of indigenous practices and visions toward an understanding of spirtuality, global health and personal growth in relation with the world we live in. Because of AgapeBelgium, we are in the possibility to form an enthousiastic group of dancers. More information you can find on their website ‘www.agapebelgium.be‘.
History of Site and Related Water Issues:
“Halle”
The medieval city of Halle (Dutch pronunciation: [IPA (key) /ˈhalə/], French: Hal) is located in the province of Flemish Brabant on the Flemish side of the language border that separates Flanders and Wallonia. It counts about 38 000 inhabitants. The official language of Halle is Dutch (Flemish). It is located South West of the capital Brussels and easily accessible by train, bus and water.
Both the Brussels-Charleroi Canal and the river “the Zenne” runs through the city in a parallel way, linking the North and the South of the country. Throughout history the water brought economic prosperity and with it a lot of pollution.
During the Middle Ages the water of the Zenne was used for the flourishing textile industry. It became an open sewer for Brussels and beyond. With the industrial revolution the Zenne got a lot of industrial and municipal waste water to process. The water of the Zenne was once (1990) so polluted that it burned! Since the construction of several purification plants, the river became again a viable waterway. Recently (2007) a few fish and ducks have been spotted again.
The Brussels-Charleroi canal, which connects the same-named cities, was built between 1827 and 1832 to provide the mining industry around Charleroi with a fast and thus cheaper discharge line towards Brussels and the port of Antwerp. Alongside the canal some industries are still operating, other leave desolate buildings.
Water also forms the main ingredient for brewing beer. Ever since the 12th century the relatively low-alcohol beer of that time was preferred as a sanitary option to available drinking water. Throughout history a lot of beer brewers marketed artisanal beers in Halle. Still widely known beers are ‘Gueuze’, ‘Lambic’ and ‘Duvels beer’. Most beers are served in bottles. Using the correct glass is considered to improve its flavour.
We are going to dance on the Grand Place of Halle under the eye of the black Madonna whose statue remains in the basilica. Legend goes that she protected the city with her mantle, she became black by the root of the gun balls at the siege. The gun balls can still be seen in the basilica. Since 12th Century Halle is a pilgrimage town. These days however the city might be better known as a carnival town. On the terraces you can still enjoy a local beer.
Music:
We use the music from the Global Water Dances
The Performance:
The dance will be danced by 3 groups: a group of children, a group of adult man and a group of adult women.
After the Global Water Dance, we dance together with the audience. You’re very welcome to join.
Email for more information:
How can I get involved?
You’re very welcome to join. It is possible to practice with us please contact grietmertens1606@gmail.com
Local Website: