Artists Words: Serge Aimé Coulibaly
On 2 April 2025, take part in the conversation between choreographer and dancer Serge Aimé Coulibaly, Holland Festival Director Emily Ansenk and theatre and opera director Tom Creed.
What does it mean to be an artist in Europe today? How does your identity shape your work—and how does your work, in turn, shape society around it?
Rooted in African culture yet speaking a universal language of movement, emotion, and social reflection, Serge’s work challenges perceptions and sparks dialogue. His open view of the world and of differences, which he always questions, and his constructive attitude and will to persevere have led to collaboration with numerous other artists since the beginning of his career. His productions, including C LA VIE (2023), WAKATT (2020), Kirina (2018), Kalakuta Republik (2017), and Nuit Blanche à Ouagadougou (2014), have been staged worldwide. Serge is also the founder of ANKATA, the International Laboratory for Performing Arts in Burkina Faso.
In conversation with Emily Ansenk, Director of Holland Festival and Tom Creed Theatre and Opera Director based in Dublin, Serge will share his perspective on the perception of African artists in Europe and what fuels his creation process. What does he expect from festivals? What is missing? What role do artists—and the institutions that support them—play in shaping the world we live in?
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The Artists Words are part of the '70-Years-On Conversations' series, in which artists, festival makers or city representatives, always in dialogue with a festival maker from the 70-Years-On Thinking Group, reflect on the challenges and opportunities facing the sector today, as outlined in the 70-Years-On Agenda.
These sessions welcome everyone involved in festivals and the arts—artists, producers, administrators, audiences. They are a space to listen to inspiring guests, engage in thought-provoking discussions, question and share your own ideas.