Greetings from Georgia

I hit Batumi on Wednesday night, alongside Ida from Intercult and some of Bad Co – fresh from Istanbul.

I am coming over as part to visit the SEAS X project – (www.seas.se) organised by European Arts Organisations, Intercult (based in Sweden – www.intercult,se). Arts Council England and Dance4 have supported 3 UK Artists to be part of the SEAS expedition: an artistic expedition scaling the coasts of Turkey and ending up in Batumi, The SEAS festival will commense today (Wednesday), so I am here to take in the SEAS festival, support the UK artists and meet the other artists (there are so many, and from all over Europe and beyond!)

Last night we went to the Drama theatre for the grand opening –there was a performance by traditional Georgian dance company, supporting by live music and singers. It was spectacular! The energy of the performers was immense and the atmosphere full of excitement. It felt like a great start to the SAES festival…

So since then, I have been on a fact finding mission – talking to artists about their experiences on the expedition, about their practice and how they found themselves at SEAS.

I am amazed at some of the stories from the artists, some on their first SEAS experience – making this a real research trip for them. Some on their first ‘date’ with another artist (met on a previous SEAS) and some SEAS regulars, performing during the next few days. It sounds as if the SEAS crew have made a real impact on some of the small villages and towns visited during the expedition through Turkey – some audiences seeing this kind of performance for the first time, but remaining so open and curious.

It has left me wishing I was on the artist touring bus… But now off to take in a little of Batumi and then on to our first performance of the festival - Ilia Chavchavadze at the Drama Theatre. Looking forward to taking my experiences back to Dance4 and ACE– and following the artists post SEAS

Greetings from Georgia

Linzi Gibbs – Assistant Producer: Dance4