So much energy... so much beauty... so much strength…

Touring our work to wonderful places around the world is in Candoco’s DNA, stories of remarkable trips become like myths, passed down, laughed about, learnt from – only serving to make us more intrepid. The British Council has often been responsible for luring us to challenging new places – intensive projects in Palestine, Vietnam, Armenia and Ukraine in the last year.

In each of these places we’ve found significant logistical and social barriers to disabled artists participating in society, let alone arts activity – in some places ramps have been specially built to accommodate our dancers, it never having been considered that local artists would need access to the spaces and institutions where we work. Candoco can set an example, start a discussion, and provide training and mentoring to disabled artists and an international community of artists, demonstrating the creative value of difference. These projects have developed meaningful relationships and have left the possibility of real change in attitudes to access and diversity. These journeys are not simply one way – Candoco learns from each project and encounter: new approaches to collaboration, different political and social circumstances that make us think differently, and innovative ways out of tricky situations.

"These journeys are not simply one way – Candoco learns from each project and encounter..."

Our most recent trip to Ukraine seemed especially risky given the current conflict, even the insurance company took a little persuading despite the premium potential. British Council staff were clear in their reassurances and, with bated breath, our small team headed off. What we found was a very warm welcome, audiences ready for great work, artists inspired by inclusive practice. And our artists returned buzzing with inspiration and interest, evaluating our inclusive approaches and keen to hear about the next project.

"Our artists returned from Ukraine buzzing with inspiration and interest..."

The Zelyonka Festival in Kiev hosted us. We performed our duet Two for C by Javier de Frutos and delivered two days of workshops for disabled and non-disabled students and artists. The duet follows a couple stuck in an old, familiar, sometimes violent relationship – no parallel with Ukraine and Russia intended, and the workshops focused on inclusive practice. The theatre was buzzy and enthusiastic, many audience members and other artists came to thank the dancers. The workshops were at capacity and the participants commented on the rigour, focus and creativity of the content. We often start by talking about physical access in our project planning, but the projects on the ground quickly become about people, relationships, work, and creative practice.

It's very hard to describe these projects without veering wildly from the clichéd to the flippant – the challenges are real and significant, the broader social and political situations mean that the day to day can quickly become impossible, and our projects often feel limited in scope in relation to the bigger picture. However, and here comes the cliché, time and time again we find that heightened political or social situations make for remarkably creative conditions. They sharpen the focus. They provide inspiration and an outlet for thinking differently. As one participant commented: "Thank you so much... for sharing with us your experience, your ideas, your time, so many positive emotions, so much love and care... so much energy... so much beauty... so much strength… so much laughter… so much inspiration… so much desire… You are amazing! I (we) do hope to see you again."

We also hope that these fantastic projects are just the start of the conversation, and that we can support real and sustained change for disabled artists and creative communities by continuing to collaborate – the amount of planning needed to make these travels happen is always worth it.

Credits

Rebecca Dawson is Executive Director of Candoco Dance Company. Candoco visited Ukraine with British Council support. Follow @Candocodance on Twitter, and follow @UKTheatreDance for all of the latest news, blogs and opportunities from the British Council Theatre and Dance team.