Location: Germany
On an evening imbued with both personal resonance and artistic depth, Passage premiered in Germany, coinciding with choreographer Femi Adebajo’s birthday. It was more than a performance—it was a tender celebration of existence itself, where art and life intertwined seamlessly. This premiere marked not just another year for Adebajo, but a profound meditation on beginnings, purpose, and the unseen forces that bind us all.

Passage is an evocative choreographic work that delicately navigates the intertwined nature of existence, time, space, and circumstance. Through a masterful interplay of movement and sound, it traces the arc of human experience: from the mystery of arrival, through the discovery of purpose, to the lasting impressions we leave behind.

Rooted in the Yoruba philosophical concepts of Ara (body), Emi (life force), and Ori (spiritual head guiding destiny), Passage beautifully articulates the fragile, often unpredictable journey of life. The dancer embody the vulnerability and resilience of the human spirit, reacting to shifting external forces and internal awakenings with gestures both subtle and sweeping. Each movement seems to breathe, illustrating life’s perpetual ascent—one shaped by chance, choice, and the invisible threads of connection.

Peter Abayomi’s sound design complements the choreography with hauntingly organic textures, creating an immersive atmosphere where silence and sound hold equal weight. The Future of Dance Company’s production frames the performance with thoughtful minimalism, allowing the physical and spiritual narratives to unfold without distraction.

Rich in emotional nuance and layered with symbolic meaning, Passage invites audiences into an intimate space of reflection. It reminds us that life is not merely a series of events but an intricate dance between the physical, the spiritual, and the unseen forces that shape our paths.

In its premiere, Passage affirmed Femi Adebajo’s gift for creating work that moves not just the body, but the soul.