Soft Space

In order for Japanese Gyokuro green tea to develop its special quality, it must be brewed at a water temperature of around 60 degrees. This Soft Space is an invitation to take the time to wait together until the water has cooled down. A moment of deceleration, of arrival, and at the same time a place that invites conversation. 

Welcome to a soft space of conversation in motion, driven by a question that may sound naïve but feels more urgent than ever: Can dance help heal our broken hope(s)? 

Let’s begin by reminding ourselves that change usually starts small: with a breath, a gesture, an awakening of perception. Dance teaches us that noticing and sharpening (self-)awareness is precisely where agency begins. And every act of awareness is an act of tuning for change. 

Through small gestures, simple games, and shared questions, we will dive into ensemble thinking and the choreography of attention. Tuning in for the four intensive Tanzplattform days ahead, we will prepare ourselves to celebrate the joy of gathering and the joy of sharing care—for the art form and for one another. 

This is how dance and choreography become not only artistic practices but also models for practicing being together and staying curious as we explore the relations within and between ourselves, the works, and the spaces—and the threads that connect them. 

We may not heal all at once, but we might begin to notice change within ourselves. And maybe that is where hope rekindles—in a softly shared space, in a movement of attentiveness.

If hope, like dance, survives only through practice, then let us choose it and let it become a shared movement. Because hope is a muscle that grows only when we exercise it. 

So let us strengthen it—together.

This space is dedicated to the power of accessibility as art and the empowerment that comes from embracing different ways of perceiving and interacting with the world. It invites you to explore and share tools that support various forms of accessibility.   

Let’s come together to discuss and create – from designing stim toys to engaging in meaningful conversations, this space is a place to connect, share, and learn from each other.  

Annika Jakobs, Access advisor and dramaturge, and Alexandra Morales, Jury member Tanzplattform Deutschland 2026

Greater visibility for all dance professionals who are caregivers and the challenges they face! We will showcase initiatives and projects related to dance and care work, with a focus on parenthood. In the room, you will find extensive information and can explore recommendations for action, best practice examples and your own experiences.   

In the second hour, we will open the space for informal exchange. What moves you as parents or carers in the professional field of dance? Where would you like to see support? We will make space for honest exchange and attentive listening.