A group of seniors wanted to present a dance tour around the world at an exhibition in Mannheim – but the ladies of the Rheinau AWO Ballet were accused of “cultural appropriation” because of the costumes – there was a dance ban in the hall. Now there is agreement about the bizarre cause: women are now allowed to appear without sombreros.
The AWO ballet usually performs in nursing homes and at folk festivals – this year the dance-loving seniors should also appear at the exhibition of the German Bundesgartenschau (BUGA) with their show “World Tour in a Dream Ship”. But some costumes were a thorn in the side of the organizers. They feared that “intercultural sensitivity” would be violated by six of the 14 costumes – including sombreros and kimonos. The robes were “sometimes custom made with great passion,” as the group’s founder explained.
Costumes for organizers too “cliché”
“Mexicans as people in sombrero hats or clichéd Asian costumes – these are images that we don’t see in the Mannheim BUGA,” Bundesgarten spokeswoman Corinna Brod explains to “Bild”. But now a compromise has been found that allows women aged 60 to 86 to make an appearance.
On Monday evening, a solution was sought together. The pharaohs are now Egyptian workers, the Mexicans are only allowed to appear with a poncho without a sombrero and the Japanese costumes have to be more modern.
Discussion event after the performances
In addition, the performances will be moved to the main stage, followed by discussion meetings. “It was important for us to bring something constructive and include a discussion event during the performances that shows how we deal with such disputes in Mannheim,” says Fabian Burstein, head of cultural events at BUGA 23.
Source: Krone
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