Africa-Press – Mozambique. The Director of Mozambique based International Contemporary Dance Platform KINANI, Quito Abrão Tembe, was recently appointed as one of four new associate curators of the International Tanzmesse – a leading contemporary dance platform, known as one of the largest forums for exchange, knowledge transfer and networking in the dance world.
Tembe, together with Julia Asperska, Dan Daw, Natacha Melo and co-directors Katharina Kucher and Isa Köhler, form the jury to select the performance programme and co-curate the Talk & Connect forum at Tanzmesse 2022.
Quito Tembe’s nomination is a great gain for Mozambique and for the African continent, especially for contemporary dance, as, with his participation in the performance selection process, he can influence the selection of works by young people in Mozambique and the region, enhancing the performing arts sector in Mozambique and the internationalisation of its artists.
Tanzmesse is an important meeting place for international dance creators. Every two years, at the end of August, more than 2,000 international exhibitors and visitors gather in Düsseldorf to present a wide spectrum of aesthetic expressions and artistic practices. This year’s edition – its 14th – will take place from August 31 to September 3, 2022.
The Internationale Tanzmesse New Performance Programme gives artists the opportunity present selected works on stage, outdoors and digitally to international visitors and a dance-loving audience.
Quito Tembe has a degree in management and cultural studies. He started his career as a dancer and theatre actor, but has also worked in set and lighting design for international films as well as dance and performance productions.
As a cultural manager, Quito created one of the largest street festivals, Aldeia Cultural, as well as the contemporary art project Tridisciplinary. He is also the artistic director of the international platform for contemporary dance KINANI.
He is currently involved in the development of artistic tours on the African continent and, on a national level, in the collaboration between platforms and festivals through the Othàma platform.
Quito Tembe is co-curator of the festival Festival Afro-Vibes 2021 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and a member artistic director of the festival Danse l’Afrique Dance 2021 in Marrakech, Morocco.