Dance and the Paralympics - a collaboration between UK and South African Deaf and disabled artists to coincide with the 2024 Paralympic Games

Global Disability Innovation Hub

Sept. 4, 2024

As Paris 2024 Paralympics builds to its conclusion, the cultural footprint of the games continues. This unique global moment creates enhanced mechanisms for amplifying the values of the Paralympics – far beyond sport, and into all areas of culture and the arts.

Presented to coincide with this year’s Paralympic Games, the Global Disability Innovation Hub’s UK aid funded AT2030 programme is proud to support a collaboration between leading UK and South African Deaf and disabled artists that looks to imagine what the future might hold for disabled people in a world on the brink of immense challenges as a result of climate change.

‘Synergy’ will be presented at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on Saturday 7 September as part of the Greenwich+Docklands International Festival, thanks to support from the UK aid funded AT2030 programme, led by the Global Disability Innovation Hub.

Recognising that disabled people are often at the coal face of hard times, this new production imagines what the future might hold for disabled people globally. The production is being created with a UK ensemble collaborating with an extraordinary South African dance artist, Lethabo Shai – who also featured in the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

Support from the Global Disability Innovation Hub’s AT2030 programme is also enabling a reciprocal programme of work to take place in South Africa with the Lucky Dance Theatre who will be presenting an inclusive dance programme designed to spotlight the diverse experiences of vulnerable and marginalised groups including women, disabled people, and the LGBTI community. Their project aims to celebrate community courage and resilience in South Africa, and to explore the access, structures of support needed for people to be able to freely shape and express their identity and live without fear.

As part of this programme of work Synergy performers, choreographers and directors – alongside performers from the Lucky Dance Theatre in South Africa - have shared their reflections on the power of the Paralympics to amplify inclusion beyond sport; from challenging stigma to increasing visibility, and how Assistive Technologies support diverse participation in sport and the arts.

Watch 'Synergy' live at the Greenwich and Docklands International Festival, presented by Mark Smith Productions on Saturday 7 September, 3.15 pm & 4.45 pm on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park outside UCL Marshgate South, Marshgate Building, 7 Sidings St, London E20 2AE

Find out more: https://festival.org/gdif/whats-on/synergy/