Dance company explores Corsican traditions
Bal’Dilà, a dance company founded in 2021 by Mathéa Rafini and Déborah Lombardo Delsol, is exploring the intersection of Corsican tradition and contemporary dance. The two choreographers, who grew up in Ajaccio, aim to renew island legacies through their work.Performance highlights traditional dance
Their second creation, La Danse d’après, was presented on Friday, November 6, at the Espace Diamant in Aiacciu. The 55-minute performance draws on Corsican dances and music, incorporating traditional elements with modern reinterpretations. The piece focuses on the quadrille, a traditional dance whose practice is becoming rare, and seeks to engage younger audiences by moving away from traditional attire and mixing violin with electronic composition.Choreographers address cultural gaps
Mathéa Rafini noted that Corsican culture is often discussed in terms of language and singing, with less attention given to dance. This observation led the two artists to examine the quadrille and discover that few young people are interested in it. Rather than replicating the past, they aim to evolve the tradition. The performance is accompanied by composer Pasqua Pancrazi and violinist Célia Picciocchi, whose score blends collective memory with current sounds. The goal is to transmit tradition while allowing it to evolve.Community engagement and education
Beyond the stage, Bal’Dilà continues its outreach efforts. On Saturday, November 7, a free dance masterclass will be held at the Espace Diamant from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for those aged 14 and older, including beginners. Artistic practice workshops are also planned from November 12 to 20 for students who attended a school performance. The choreographers aim to provide young people with tools to engage with a heritage that may feel distant from their daily lives.Future projects and inspiration
The company is also working on a new creation, O.K-K.O, a choreographic duo that Rafini and Lombardo Delsol will perform. They are in residence from October 31 to November 4 at the Spaziu Culturale Natale Rochiccioli in Cargèse, preparing for a premiere scheduled for May 21, 2027. This piece draws inspiration from combat sports and martial arts, exploring the contradictions within individuals. The performance will take place in a space reminiscent of a ring, with two opposing personalities—one seeking mastery, the other embracing chaos. According to Rafini, these characters do not fight against each other but together against internal tensions.Other local developments
In Ajaccio, the FALEP receives 5,000 euros to help young people find employment through digital means. Additionally, efforts are underway to share skills around chestnuts between Corsica and Japan. The municipal majority in Ajaccio aims to install elected officials at the heart of neighborhoods. Meanwhile, the Ritrovu festival was canceled following the disappearance of dancer and choreographer Pierre-Antoine D'Orazio. The Senate is divided in its approach to Corsican autonomy, seeking a "passage way."
