Two leading artists of the international contemporary scene come together on stage to weave their life and artistic journeys into a dialogue that bridges seemingly distant worlds. On one side, Spanish dancer and choreographer Israel Galván has revolutionized flamenco by bringing it into modernity; on the other, French director Mohamed El Khatib, whose work is rooted in the power of documentary theatre. Their paths originate in different worlds, shaped by childhood and their relationships with tradition, religion, family, and art. Both have taken roads that diverged from their parents’ expectations: Israel, raised in the flamenco tradition, forged a radical and personal style; Mohamed, expected to pursue a “real” profession, chose theatre instead. Yet, despite their differences, their stories reflect one another: they have faced the same dilemmas, silent rebellions, and even the same beginnings as football players—before discovering that the stage was their true playing field. In this performance, Israel and Mohamed revisit their past, the gestures they have inherited and reimagined, exploring their family archives and the weight of expectations. With irony and depth, they voice a conversation that becomes a message to their parents—an act of love and truth. Even today, when neighbors ask, «What does your son do?» they wish the answer could finally be honest. Ultimately, learning to be free is a skill one never truly masters.
Mohamed El Khatib
Author, director, filmmaker, and visual artist, Mohamed El Khatib develops projects at the intersection of performance, literature, and cinema, creating opportunities for encounters between art and those distanced from it. After Moi, Corinne Dadat, where a cleaning woman and a classical dancer compared their skills, he continued exploring the working class with STADIUM, bringing 58 supporters of Racing Club de Lens onto the stage. He also delved into the theme of divorced families through radio and cinema, and with historian Patrick Boucheron, he sketched a people’s history of art through a snow globe. Alongside his theatrical works, El Khatib develops visual research in collaboration with various artists. In Savoie, with Valérie Mréjen, he initiated the creation of the first art center in a nursing home; at the Collection Lambert in Avignon, he curated a sentimental exhibition involving precarious curators from the Abbé-Pierre Foundation and museum staff. At Mucem, he conceived the exhibition Renault 12, inspired by car trips taken by Franco-Maghrebi families. El Khatib is an associate artist at the Théâtre de la Ville in Paris, the Théâtre National de Bretagne, and the Théâtre National Wallonie-Bruxelles.
Israel Galván
A visionary choreographer, Israel Galván has revolutionized flamenco with his bold and experimental style. His choreography, characterized by complex rhythms and explosive energy, deconstructs traditional flamenco forms, blending them with contemporary dance, theater, and performance art. His career began with Mira Los Zapatos Rojos (1998), the first in a series of groundbreaking works that redefined flamenco on the international stage. Some of his most famous works include La Edad de Oro (2005), El Final de Este Estado de Cosas (2008), and La Curva (2010), in which he blends heritage with innovation, often incorporating experimental music and socio-political themes. Globally recognized, Galván has received prestigious awards, including Spain’s National Dance Prize (2005) and the Golden Mask Award (2012). His work continues to evolve, captivating new audiences and reshaping the language of flamenco in contemporary dance.
Concept and production: Israel Galván, Mohamed El Khatib
Set design and lighting, artistic collaboration: Fred Hocké
Sound design, technical collaboration: Pedro León
Production: ZIRLIB / ISRAEL GALVAN COMPANY
