The Zappalà Danza dance company made its world debut with lnstrument Jam on 1 March, which was received with great public and critical acclaim at the Théatre National Tunisien in Tunis. The event was part of the “Italy, Cultures, the Mediterranean” programme and represented the first result of the three-party agreement between the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism, the Italian Cultural Institute and the Théatre National Tunisien on promoting Italian contemporary dance companies which will also bring the Daniele Ninarello dance company and his “Still” and “Kudoku” performances on the stage of ‘4ème Art’ on 31 March. Instrument Jam is a performance that aggregates all the instruments of Roberto Zappalà’s Instruments project, which was developed by the choreographer in three different phases spread over the years, dedicated to three different instruments: the Jew’s Harp (or scacciapensieri for Instrument 1 « discovering the invisible ») ; the Hang (a metal percussion instrument for Instrument 2 « the ailing body ») ; drums (for Instrument 3, ‘cage sculpture’). With Instrument 1, Roberto Zappalà also kicked off ‘Re-mapping Sicily’, an itinerary plotted by the choreographer with a view to reinterpreting Sicily through its scenic language. On stage with the musicians will also be the seven dancers of the Zappalà Danza dance company: all men who vigorously act out a borderless Sicily where tradition and modernity meet, cross and merge.
The performance was enthusiastically acclaimed by numerous artists and the youthful audience particularly interested in innovation and experimentation. This warm reception confirms the validity of cooperative projects in this sector in Mediterranean Countries, and especially in Tunisia.
