What power does joy hold in the face of a collapsing world? How can joy become a form of resistance? With Atomic Joy, Brazilian choreographer Ana Pi shows how joy can function as an active force: something that sharpens the senses, sets bodies in motion and brings people together. Here, joy becomes a way of making space for new forms of togetherness and imagination. Performed by eight young dancers from the Paris street dance scene and inspired by the energy of dance battles, Ana Pi creates a space where tension and defiance meet. Ana Pi previously played at Holland Festival in 2024; her performance The Divine Cypher was selected that year as one of the HF Young Favourites. The new performance Atomic Joy draws on dance practices from the Transatlantic African diaspora, in which movement is passed down from generation to generation, often in times of struggle. This history is palpable, yet the work is equally oriented toward the future: each gesture connects memory with the desire for a shared horizon. Set to a live composition by pianist CHASSOL, Atomic Joyunfolds as an energetic, layered dance in which tenderness, technical virtuosity and raw power coexist. In this way, ATOMIC JOY becomes a jubilant and hopeful reimagining of reality. On June 7th Ana Pi will guide a dance workshop, Joy is not a metaphor, in which you are invited to experiment with joy as inspiration.
About these tags
Short explanations of what to expect at this event.
An event centred on dance — either as a performance to watch or as a social event to participate in yourself, depending on the format.
A hands-on session where participants actively practise a skill, explore a topic, or work through a creative challenge together under the guidance of a facilitator.
A celebratory multi-act or multi-day event focused on music, culture, art, or a specific theme, with a lively and communal festival atmosphere.
