Cheered Lies

In Cheered Lies (Mentiras aplaudidas), three performers and two musicians from Mozambique take the audience on a journey through today’s urgent topics, cultural struggles, fears and ideologies. The connecting lines reach from history to the present and further into a post-colonial utopia.

Mentiras aplaudidas looks at (colonial) history and the economic and political division of Africa before and after the 1884 Berlin Conference through the filter of historical effects, thus creating a  critical historiography  to contrast existing power systems and their narratives. The production critically questions, in a brilliant and entertaining way, historical narratives and looks at today’s world, in which fake news has become commonplace, catapulting the game of manipulation to the next level. Which side of history are we on? Where do we come from? What kind of people have we become today?

The performers invite us to look at received wisdom from different perspectives, to deal with different ideas of nationality, cultural affiliation and identity. They ask us to re-evaluate historiography, to see it no longer as an objective collection of data and facts or, as a linear sequence of clear events, but instead to be aware that authors write  history within their own political contexts. They invite us to look at our traditional knowledge of human civilizations from polyphonic perspectives, and they make it clear that social systems in African countries often function differently than in Europe.

“Who told you that Pablo Picasso invented cubism? And if I tell you that the cubist movement has been influenced by the distortions of the African carving in African masks and engravings! … Is there another truth that your mind can access? Would you believe in intuition, in instincts, in dreams, in supernatural powers, in the universe, in feelings and myths?” (Mentiras aplaudidas)

Panaibra Gabriel Canda

Panaibra Gabriel Canda, born in Maputo, Mozambique, is one of the most important choreographers on the African continent whose work clearly reflects the post-colonial upheavals of his country. The connection between dance and socio-political aspects plays a crucial role in his work.. He studied theater, dance and music in Mozambique and Portugal. Since 1993, Panaibra has been developing his own artistic style and projects, touring the world as a dancer and choreographer and winning numerous awards. In 1998, he founded the cultural center CulturArte in Maputo, a production studio for contemporary dance in Mozambique. As artistic director and choreographer, he has successfully devoted himself to advancing the regional dance scene through training programs. At his numerous festival appearances across Europe, he shows how dynamic and humorous dance can be.

Concept / Choreography
Panaibra Gabriel Canda

By and with
Amélia Socovinho, José Jalane, Panaibra Gabriel Canda

Music concept / Live music
Simba Sitòe, Dércio Gomate Lighting Caldino José Alberto

Video design
Elton David

Costumes
Carlota Lagido

Production / Distribution
Plan B – Creative Agency for Performing Arts.

A dance project by Panaibra Gabriel Canda / CulturArte.

In coproduction with tanzhaus nrw, euro-scene Leipzig and Mercat de les Flors Barcelona. With support from crl-central elétrica/InResidence Porto, Africa Moment and Pumpenhaus Münster.