The second edition of the International Conference on Creativity in Dance (ICCD), an initiative dedicated to exploring the most relevant directions of contemporary dance at a global level, will take place between April 20 and 23, at the I.L. Caragiale National University of Theatre and Filmmaking (UNATC) in Bucharest.

The event will be attended by researchers, professors, choreographers, artists and students from nine countries - Romania, the U.S., the UK, Germany, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Moldova, Israel and Hungary.

There will be scientific lectures, debates, book launches, workshops, performances and a dance photography exhibition.

'For the first time in the world there is a scientific manifestation at academic level regarding dance. Usually, in the world, festivals, recitals, tours, premiere shows are organised, but never a scientific event dedicated to dance. (...) This is the first scientific event in the world that has this ambition to propose, to promote a theoretical, critical, reflective approach to dance', said Simona Somacescu, initiator and curator of the International Conference on Creativity in Dance, at a news conference on Wednesday at UNATC.

UNATC Rector Liviu Lucaci said that ICCD brings to Bucharest both theorists and practitioners from the world of dance.

'It is an event that marks this gathering of theorists, practitioners, the public and people who want to understand where this field is going, which, in recent years, includes or brings to itself related fields - technology, the world of theatre, the world of film, this to talk only about the arts, but also the fact that this phenomenon, this world of contemporary dance is also linked to the social, society in general, our needs today. So, it's really a chance to mirror the world a little bit through this type of international event, conference, which has the title 'creativity'. The fact that it has the title 'creativity', and it brings us to something very important today: the role creativity plays in today's world. I believe that creativity today, perhaps more than ever, is at the heart of contemporary society and is the engine of societal development,' Lucaci said.

One of the most awaited moments of this year's edition of ICCD is, according to organiers, the dance gala 'Bridging Horizons: 115 Years of Swiss - Romanian Friendship'.

The gala celebrates 115 years of diplomatic ties between Switzerland and Romania, reflecting the fundamental values that have sustained the collaboration over time: mutual respect, creativity and openness to dialogue, say the organisers.

The Swiss Embassy supports this event in view, first of all, to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, ambassador Massimo Baggi said.

'We strongly believe that art and culture are an excellent tool for gathering cooperation in a sustainable way,' Baggi said.

A second reason is the cooperation of the organisers of the event with the dance department of the Zurich University of Art, and the third is the celebration this year of 115 years of bilateral relations, said the Swiss ambassador in Bucharest.

The gala offers he public an artistic experience in which dance becomes the universal language of intercultural dialogue. Students from Zurich University of the Arts, in partnership with the Department of Choreography of UNATC, will present original creations that explore relevant themes of contemporaneity, such as identity, belonging and the evolution of relations between nations.

The special guest of the second edition of ICCD will be Andre Lepecki, one of the most influential contemporary voices in the field of dance and performance studies, tenured professor at the Department of Performance Studies of the Ticsch School of Arts, New York University.

The focus of the second edition will on Romanian choreographer Sergiu Matis, one of the distinct personalities of contemporary European dance.

'We have introduced a new section in the course of the conference program, it is called 'Focus on', and I want it to be a public debate section. Of course, we will talk about the work of Sergiu Matis, but more important than that is to discuss the themes that currently animate the field of choreographic art', said Simona Somacescu.

An exhibition of dance photographs by the British Camilla Greenwell will be mounted for the first time in Bucharest at ICCD.

Ten of the artist's works can be seen, throughout the ICCD period, at UNATC.

The opening of the International Conference on Creativity in Dance will take place on April 20, at the Ileana Berlogea Hall of UNATC, and the closing ceremony will take place on April 23, at the Atelier Hall, followed by a show by the university's students. AGERPRES (RO - editing by: Petronius Craiu; EN - writing by: Corneliu-Aurelian Colceriu)