Lemi
Ponifasio

You are invited to join The Manifestation by Samoan-New Zealand artist Lemi Ponifasio – the free and public closing event of the red bridge project, an initiative to build artistic bridges in Luxembourg, by Mudam Luxembourg, the Philharmonie and the Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg on Friday, 28 June 2024.

The red bridge project, initiated in 2017, is designed to connect the three major cultural institutions located on both sides of the ‘Red Bridge’ as well as Luxembourg’s local communities. After Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker and William Kentridge, the third edition of the red bridge project presents a new dimension under the stewardship of the Samoan-New Zealand artist Lemi Ponifasio.

‘I never had an ambition to be an artist. But I want to make a change. I want to ignite a conversation about the world I find myself in with the people around me.’

In The Manifestation, Ponifasio invites the diverse communities of Luxembourg to collaborate with his company MAU and the three institutions in dialogue in the creation of a collective body of art. Bringing people together through ceremony, oratory, dance, music and food, The Manifestation will start in front of the Grand Théâtre de la Ville de Luxembourg; a performance parade will proceed across the Red Bridge and via the Philharmonie Luxembourg, concluding at Mudam grounds.

‘I want the community to be curious and think that their way to think can make a difference.’

Through his project, Lemi Ponifasio calls for ‘manifestation’, as the opportunity for participants to join this collective demonstration of community, adding their bodies, voices and ideas, reclaim their space and redefine their commonalities by manifesting themselves towards forming a stronger community.

Programme

19:00 | Opening performance

Pierre Cocq Amann saxophone

For the opening performance, local community members will gather around a group of ‘demonstrators’ outside the Grand Théâtre, where a reading by the artists, speeches and music will take place.

19:45 | Procession

Lemi Ponifasio and renowned Luxembourg artist and choreographer Elisabeth Schilling will conceive a procession across the bridge. Starting at the Red Bridge towards the Philharmonie, Weaving a Vegetal Web of Care is an immersive performance-promenade, during which participants will carry a delicate thread woven with local flowers and dried herbs.

20:30 | Music, poetry and food

Chorale Sainte Cécile Hostert

Kammerchor PortaVoci e.V.

Œuvres de Beach, Hensel, Jenkins, Mozart, Schumann, Williams et autres

At Place de l’Europe, a convivial event with music, poetry and food will take place featuring two choirs singing in response to readings by residents. All participants and the public will enjoy dishes prepared by a community kitchen.

22:30 | Final performance

Voices International

Carol Salgado cello

Culminating at Mudam, the red bridge project will conclude with a performance by Lemi Ponifasio’s company MAU, alongside members of local communities and various local musical ensembles.

The final performance will act as a symbol of a renewed relationship between communities and their territory and its institutions, taking the form of a ritual – a way for all participants to reclaim the space.

In relation to the performance, a series of photographs, taken throughout the project by students of the Lycée des Arts et Métiers in Luxembourg, will be projected on the walls of the building.

Commande Mudam
Production MAU et Mudam

Événement en extérieur
Procession: du Grand Théâtre au Mudam
Performance: à l’extérieur du Mudam

Production