The 7th edition of Festival 321, titled "Dihy sy Tantara," brings together young creators, international artists and professionals around contemporary dance. Malagasy contemporary dance takes on new dimensions with this edition, organized by Compagnie Rary through August 16. Over seven days, 34 performances, workshops, conferences and artistic exhibitions will take place across several cultural venues in the capital, all with one goal: to support choreographic creation and bring this discipline closer to the public.

Founded by Compagnie Rary, Festival 321 has established itself over more than a decade as a platform dedicated to contemporary choreographic creation. Its name references the formats it originally accompanied—solos, duos and trios—to which group creations have now been added. This year's program includes 12 solos, 13 duos and 6 trios and larger works, presented by young creators, invited companies and international artists.

The program also features workshops for dancers and choreographers, as well as conferences bringing together Malagasy and foreign professionals to discuss choreographic creation challenges. Two artistic proposals complete the program: the exhibition "Dihy Soratra Soradihy" and the installation "Fa'Style."

Several international artists participate in this edition, including Farid Abdoul El Fatah from Comoros, Marie Christabelle Natalia Bayroo and Jerry Kursley from Mauritius, and Gwen Rakotovao from Sweden. Their presence fosters exchanges between Malagasy, regional and international choreographic scenes.

Activities take place at Tahala Raharihasina, Tiers Lieu Maison Mahatazana, Tranompokon'olona Analakely, the Municipal Library and the City of Cultures.

For Ariry Andriamoratsiresy, founder of Compagnie Rary: "The choice of dance is above all a personal story." His path has been built around various influences, from Afro-modern dance and jazz to Asian body practices and kinesiology. He is particularly interested in how the body constructs movement, as well as improvisation and individual creativity.

The theme "Dihy sy Tantara" reflects this approach. It explores personal emotions, lived experiences today and our relationship with history. "History must also be a learning tool," emphasizes Ariry Andriamoratsiresy, who stresses the need to allow young people to appropriate their history and culture through choreographic creation.

"Contemporary dance can draw from traditional or modern inspirations, but it is built above all from a personal story that the artist transforms into scenic language," he explains. One challenge remains making this discipline more accessible to the public. Long associated with international choreographic encounters and a practice perceived as distant from everyday life, it must now find its place with a broader audience, particularly through education and extracurricular initiatives.

For Ariry Andriamoratsiresy, this dynamic also rests on collective will. It is about fostering artistic creation locally while opening bridges with the outside world and enabling artists to benefit from conditions favorable to their training and creation.