The stage is covered in peat, and sweat stains the dancers’ dresses. The Rite of Spring depicts a ritual human sacrifice required for winter to turn into spring.

Having premiered in 1975, the work is among those best known by Pina Bausch, the most influential European choreographer of her time, who visited Helsinki Festival in 2005. The work is based on the music composed by Igor Stravinsky, which shook cultural circles in 1913. The raw power of Stravinsky’s composition and Bausch’s choreography – both emotional and physical – has not gone stale with age.

At Helsinki Festival, The Rite of Spring will be performed by 32 dancers from 14 different African countries. “Gut-wrenching brilliance”, The Guardian characterised their powerful performance.

The joint evening opens with the duet common ground[s]. The new work is created, performed and inspired by the lives of two remarkable women: Germaine Acogny, a pioneer of African contemporary dance, and Malou Airaudo, one of the early leading members of Pina Bausch’s dance group. Both are in their seventies. This poetic and tender piece, the duo’s first collaboration, examines their shared histories and emotional experiences.

The event is organized and part of the Helsinki Festival.