As part of an international project Hopes and Memories, in which TRAKT represents one of the five partner organizations, our visual team will be participate for two years on a common formation of multidisciplinary of artwork that is based on prohibited opera “The Barrier” composed by Jan Meyerowitz in, 1949.
 
The first common creative step was 10-day residence in the South Africa in Durban.  TRAKT via Michaela Bottková participated in the development of international cooperation and also trained students of Drama department at Durban University of Technology – for two days by intensive workshops.
 
The workshop program was divided into several subject fields as new media, scenic design, video and film, dance and choreography and physical theatre. Under our leadership, together with the multi-talented African students were created a very brave and interesting works which will expand by other common projects in next year.
 
Our action in Durban University much-admired Institution itself and wrote about our activities HERE.
 
Visual artists during they stay for several days had an opportunity to discover and share African and European influences. They stopped in and paid a visit to many villages and townships, where they absorbed a local culture and traditions of Zulus. During a number of visits a KwaMashu township, artists were involved in the educational system in local areas, schools and courses of dance. Through the work of our Hungarian choreographer partner, young Durban and Kwamashu dancers got a short daily dance training in physical theater and contemporary dance, which offered them a totally different approach to dancing.  And as a repay he learned from them some local dance motion and folklore steps which are usually performed in the rain boots.
 
In addition team had the opportunity to lead workshops in various “godforsaken” areas, but which are locals using as their classes and studios. Artistic centres such as KwaMashu theatre and BAT Centre in Durban just confirmed to us the obvious fact, about how many talented and capable artists in this country is waiting to be found.
 
One thing is lucid; our residence in South Africa has revealed to us many secrets of this world, which will be very helpful in the formation of our overall project.