IPAF presents: Hazem Header: MANEATER
Performing to the evocative old songs of Egyptian Singers and composed tracks of Egyptian Politicians’ speeches; A Solo dancer exposes the fractured and toxic relationship of Egypt and its rulers, politicians and Egyptian people as he delves into the complexity of his love for Egypt in an attempt to reconcile patriotism with disillusionment, and light of hope with darkness of oppression.”
It shines a light on his deep rooted connection to his memory of The Egyptian revolution and suggests the power of what hope may do. Poetic and passionate, MEANEATER… has an intricate physicality, Egyptian folk dance and is unashamedly romantic in its celebration of loving Egypt.
Egypt is reuniting on stage with some of her most infamous former lovers. Together, they relive past romances, replay tender moments, and whisper the sweet nothings they once shared – before it all, inevitably, turned toxic and fell apart.
About the Artist:
Hazem Header is an Egyptian contemporary dancer and choreographer. In 2021, he founded the Breaking Walls Dance Film Festival, Egypt’s and the region’s first dance film festival. Prior to that in 2017, Hazem launched the Breaking Walls Festival, Cairo’s first international festival for site-specific performances. Previously, he combined his passion for movement and artistry to create NÜT Dance Company-NDC in 2013, a legally recognized entity in Cairo that produces dance performances and cultural events.
Hazem has gained international recognition for his contributions to contemporary performing arts. He was selected in 2021 as a member of the IETM/International Network for Contemporary Performing Arts’ Global Connectors program and, in 2024, was elected to the IETM Advisory Committee for a three-year term. Hazem earned a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education, with a focus on personal training, biomechanics, and kinesiology. He also studied at the governmental center, Cairo Contemporary Dance Centre (CCDC) at the Cairo Opera House.
Credits:
Creation and Choreography: Hazem Header
Music Designer and Composers: Anna-Maria Rammou (AMR)
Dramaturge: Dimitra Mitropoulou
Costume Designer: Domagoj Štimac
Text Video: Nima Dehghani
Speeches Archives and Research: Mary Nabil
Poster: Farah Khalaf
Co-Production: NÜT Dance Company and Breaking Walls Festival – Egypt, This is a Domino Project – Croatia and Warehouse9
Good to know:
Smoke in performance.
Strobe light.
Content of video projection may be graphic for some.
+18
Language: English
IPAF:
IPAF is Warehouse9’s international performance festival. The festival is a vital extension of the organisation’s dedicated work to support and present LGBTQIA+ artists and cultural practitioners. IPAF is a dynamic meeting place that creates opportunities for artistic development, live performances, and facilitates spaces for dialogue and community.
This year, the festival is co-produced with Dansehallerne and presents genre-bending work in Copenhagen that actively engages with identity politics, sexual expressions, and body representations. IPAF is founded on the strong belief that dance and performance can offer new perspectives and understandings of reality, inspire collective imagination, and advocate for better and more just futures.
IPAF is made possible with support from the Danish Arts Foundations, the City of Copenhagen and Dansehallerne.
Tickets:
tickets are purchased via Dansehallernes website: https://dansehallerne.dk/en/public-program/
Note that there is a sliding scale option.
Accessability:
Dansehallerne in Copenhagen offers good accessibility with step-free access via an elevator to all floors, accessible and gender-neutral restrooms on the ground floor.
Jasmin has a master’s degree in English and cultural communications from the University of Copenhagen and has worked with several fields within the cultural sphere. She has worked with executing and communicating films, festivals, art fairs, and literature, and has now embarked upon queer performance art at Warehouse9.
Emma (they/she) has been a core member since 2012 and a leading effort in driving organisational development. They have helped shape WH9’s artistic profile, initiated national and international collaborations and consolidated WH9 through fundraising strategies, and insisting on production methods centering care and accessiblility.
In addition, Emma works as an independent curator, e.g. through the curatorial duo osborn&møller, where they have acted as guest curator at the Wellcome Collection (UK) and curated part of City of Women’s 25 year anniversary festival in 2019 (SL). Emma has experience as a freelance producer in the UK, where they worked with artists such as Poppy Jackson, Manuel Vason and SPILL Festival. Emma holds a MA in Theater and Performance from Queen Mary, University of London and a BA (Hons) in Drama, Applied Theatre & Education from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
Jørgen Callesen (They/He) is co-founder and co-director of Warehouse9.
For the past 17 years, they have been an integral part of developing Warehouse9 to become a leading organisation for cross-aesthetic queer art, including international festivals and socially engaged projects. He holds a Ph.D. in information & media science from Aarhus University (2005) and has an artistic practice with the performance figure “miss fish”. They have presented solo work in Denmark and internationally since 2002 and work in collaboration with numerous queer artists as well as in lager scale productions.
