Lugano Dance Project 2026: Cultural Heritage Through Dance

The third and final edition of the Lugano Dance Project took place from June 11 to 14, 2026, in Lugano, Switzerland. Conceived by Carmelo Rifici and Michel Gagnon with curator Lorenzo Conti, the project explored dance and heritage through performances, conferences, roundtables, documentary screenings, workshops, and a shared brunch. Highlights included Argentine artist Cecilia Bengolea's work on ethnocoreography; "Kontakthof – Echoes of '78," a multimedia reimagining of Pina Bausch's 1978 piece by original dancer Meryl Tankard featuring performers aged 73 to over 80; Trajal Harrell's solo "Music Music Histoire(s) du Théâtre VII," a playlist of his life; Camilla Parini's intimate "Je Suisse (or not)" for one or two spectators; Omar Rajeh's "The Gathering" with Hamdi Dridi's "Soul(s) Power" and Ghida Hachico's "Prelude to Violence"; and the world premiere of Kyle Abraham's "White Space" with his company A.I.M, featuring original music by Jason Moran and Nico Muhly. The project concluded with a reflection on transmitting choreographic heritage to future generations.