Chile鈥檚 Antumapu Folkloric Ballet will come to Miami for the first time in its more than 50-year history, presenting a program of emblematic folk dances at the Miami Beach Bandshell.
The company, dedicated exclusively to traditional folk dances of its country, performs at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3 in a free performance.
Founded in 1971 at the University of Chile by Oscar Ram铆rez, who has been its artistic director since its inception, the presentation is a collaboration between the company, FUNDarte, and the Rhythm Foundation as part of the 鈥淎way from Home鈥� series at the Miami-Dade County Auditorium. The performance is also produced with support from the Consulate of Chile in Miami.
鈥淭he show we are bringing to Miami is a synthesis that I call 鈥楥hiliche (People of Chile),鈥� where we take a journey from north to south, showcasing the geography of our country,鈥� said Ram铆rez.
Ram铆rez, the company鈥檚 choreographer, said that his 鈥淐hilean peasant background鈥� afforded him firsthand experiences with the folklore, specifically that of central Chile.
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Growing up in the Colchagua region in the central part of the country 鈥� 鈥渁 region characterized by its rural culture, a productive world where people are primarily engaged in livestock farming and working the land鈥� 鈥� it was those experiences that he has incorporated into what he called his 鈥渃horeographic vision.鈥�
鈥淐hiliche (People of Chile)鈥� originally premiere in 1982. With this work, he seeks to share a message of unity, 鈥渂ecause no matter what region you come from, you are Chilean,鈥� said Ram铆rez, whose path to choreography was not through formal dance training, but rather through folklore.
He explained that at the University of Chile in the school鈥檚 Institute of Physical Education, there is a specialization in folklore, which includes musical and artistic groups. Ram铆rez himself graduated with a degree from the university in Physical Education.
Antumapu, which means 鈥渓and of the sun,鈥� is one of these artistic groups, comprising students from various majors at the university, including dance.
Ram铆rez said that one of the most important aspects of his choreography is to present the culture of his country.
鈥淚 use the foundation and the roots of the tradition without stylizing it. Rather, I try to be as careful as possible in my interpretation of the folk culture, so as not to distort it and to stay true to that essence which is fundamental for us. I don鈥檛 want it to be affected by my own creative interpretations, but rather that the choreography remains very closely aligned with what the folklore itself offers as material.鈥�
The show, which features 16 dancers, draws on a range of cultural traditions, including sikura, a dance from northern Chile; huayno, the characteristic rhythm of many dances from the northern Chilean Andes; kai-kai, a Rapa Nui rope game traditionally made from horsehair; and rucat煤n, a Mapuche ceremony that celebrates the construction of a new home.
While Ram铆rez acknowledged that the costumes and staging are full of color and wonderful effects, he hopes that South Florida audiences dive deep into 鈥淐hiliche.鈥�
鈥淔or us,鈥� he stated with genuine anticipation, 鈥渋t is essential that the audience doesn鈥檛 focus solely on the beauty of the costumes or the lighting effects, but that they truly grasp, through the expression of each region we represent, the true essence of what it means to be Chilean.鈥�
WHAT: 鈥淐hiliche, People of Chile鈥� by the Antumapu Folk Ballet of the University of Chile
WHEN: 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 3.
WHERE: Miami Beach Bandshell, 7275 Collins Ave., Miami Beach
COST: Free (RSVP required) at
INFORMATION:
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