When the doors open for the fall premiere of the Norrlandsoperan dance season on September 2, the program features a sold-out performance of *Maldonne* by French choreographer Leïla Ka. The evening begins with a dance reception where Anja Arnquist, artistic director of dance, will present this fall’s performances and join fashion scholar Monika Kichau for a conversation about the dress as a garment, a symbol, and a reflection of women’s status in society.
– Leïla Ka is today a powerful voice in French contemporary dance; with her roots in the street dance scene, her artistry has been acclaimed for the way she combines strength, vulnerability, and an uncompromising presence. In *Maldonne*, she playfully explores the position of women and the social norms surrounding it. On stage, we see five dancers in 40 dresses who transform the choreography of everyday life into a kind of physical protest,” says Anja Arquist.
As early as September 24, we can look forward to more international star power when Lebanese dancer, choreographer, and musician Charlie Khalil Prince takes the stage at the Black Box with his solo performance, *The Body Symphonic*.
– This season, we’ll be featuring prominent voices from the Swedish and international dance scenes. From the virtuoso flamenco duo La Venidera — featuring two of Ballet Nacional de España’s star soloists — to KOREOGRAFIN —Johansson Pelargoner and a dance performance where the audience helps create the show. In October, Malandain Ballet Biarritz will join forces with the Norrlandsoperan Symphony Orchestra on the Main Stage.
Västerbotten Takes Its Place
But the lineup also includes some long-awaited local highlights. On November 13–14, Hagar Malin Hellkvist Sellén celebrates 25 years as a choreographer with the world premiere of the performance *Driv Hunger*—a standalone sequel to *Tiden det tar*, which premiered in 2023. After two decades based in Stockholm, Hellkvist Sellén has moved back to Umeå, where she runs Västerbotten’s Choreographic Center from Umeå’s new hub for dance—“Hemvisten”—located in the Folkuniversitetet premises.
“There’s a growing momentum around dance in Umeå and Västerbotten. Norrlandsoperan is Sweden’s second-largest venue for contemporary dance tours, and we want to help create the conditions for dance to take root and grow in northern Sweden. That’s where returnees like Hagar Malin Hellkvist Sellén can contribute a great deal—both through their creative excellence and practical experience,” says Helle Solberg, CEO of Norrlandsoperan.
Spring with the Norrlands Opera
“After an intense fall season of dance, a spring that is just as varied and eventful is on the horizon,” says Anja Arnquist:
– Among other things, we’ll get to see Kompani Giraff’s flexible circus act for a younger audience, a wildly humorous staging of Anita Ekberg’s 2005 “Sommarprat” with Sophie Augot and Philip Berlin, and Up North Battle is back for the 12th time in a row. And then there’s the absolute highlight of the dance season: Vårsalong 2027. It will be an entire evening where mingling, conversation, and fantastic choreography take turns as we gather for one night to celebrate and enjoy dance art that shakes us up, enchants us, and challenges us.
Text: Jonas Pekkari
