Giovanni Di Cicco: Contemporary Dance as Political Practice

Giovanni Di Cicco (Genoa, 1963), dancer, choreographer, teacher, and artistic director, argues that contemporary dance is a political practice. In an interview with Artribune, he explains that dance produces relationships, not just performances. He recalls a procession in Genoa's Granarolo district where youths carried a statue of Madonna della Guardia, feeling joy and rootedness. Di Cicco founded DEOS at Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa, and has worked across La Fenice, Teatro Nazionale, Accademia Nazionale di Danza, and RI-GENERAZIONE. He co-founded REACT, Italy's first association dedicated to live performance promotion across theatre, dance, circus, and music. Di Cicco emphasizes that the body is not an executive tool but an ethical practice, and that choreography negotiates with community and the unexpected. He advocates for dance as a common language and anthropological practice, criticizing the fragmentation of dance into genres. The interview was conducted by Pasquale Napolitano.