Bare Feet Dance Theatre

In “Lingering”, the Taiwanese dance company Bare Feet Dance Theatre delves into the unfathomable, mighty Pacific Ocean, which is ever-present in Taiwan and throughout South-East Asia – as an ancient maritime link, but also as an endless, dividing expanse. The company recounts the myths and memories that entwine around the ocean, tracing the untold stories of the souls and spirits lost in its depths.

“Lingering” is inspired by the traditional rites of the Pacific coastal region, from Taiwan’s small island of Lambai to Java in Indonesia. Here, among other things, festivals are celebrated to welcome the deities ashore, bestow blessings upon them and appease angry spirits. This gave rise, particularly in Indonesia, to a rich Pacific dance culture – ranging from courtly dance and the gamelan, a traditional Indonesian musical form, to the Javanese religion of Kejawèn, which unites Muslim, Hindu and ancient Javanese beliefs.

Even today, the oceans shape our lives – whether in the daily routines of coastal towns, along shipping routes or within global spheres of influence. Thus, this impressive dance piece, which tells of the forces of nature as well as ancient rituals, is at the same time a contemporary, topical work of art.