Bangarra Dance Theatre Receives Golden Lion

Australia's Bangarra Dance Theatre, an Indigenous dance company, has been awarded the Golden Lion for lifetime achievement in dance at the Venice Biennale.

This prestigious award, first presented in 1995, will be formally presented during the Venice Danza international festival of contemporary dance, which commences in July.

Frances Rings, Bangarra's artistic director, described the award as a validation of the company's role in presenting First Nations stories through dance.

Historical Context and Significance

Bangarra is the first company and the first First Nations performers to receive the Golden Lion for dance. This follows recent Golden Lion awards to other Australian entities: Back to Back Theatre for theatre in 2024, and artist Archie Moore for art in 2024.

Wayne McGregor, the outgoing director of Venice Danza, stated that Bangarra has created a significant shift in the understanding of dance and its cultural context.

Company Overview and Mission

Bangarra was established in 1989 by Rob Bryant, Carole Y Johnson, and Cheryl Stone. Stephen Page served as artistic director until 2022.

The company's mission is to share First Nations stories and contribute to broader understanding and awareness.

Upcoming Performances

Bangarra is scheduled to perform 'Terrain', choreographed by Frances Rings in 2012, at Venice Danza in July. The work examines environmental impacts of colonization and the role of Indigenous knowledge in caring for land.

The company will also premiere 'Flora' with Australian Ballet in Melbourne in March, followed by a tour to Sydney.

Additionally, 'Sheltering' is slated to visit Brisbane and Canberra in May.