François Chaignaud + Tânia Carvalho / Dançando com a Diferença

François Chaignaud — Blasons (national premiere)

Blazons (blasons) are known as heraldic symbols. Around Clément Marot, a group of court poets took a pledge to collectively emblazon parts of the female body, that is to say to watch, describe and praise them. These blazons—devoted to the throat, the lips, the eyebrow, the foot or the nipple—then gave rise to the counter blazons, their satirical and critical equivalents. The body of the other—the body of the blazoned one—becomes an observation field, susceptible of being divided and appropriated. We are committed to rescue and reverse such a dynamic with the artists from Dançando com a Diferença. — François Chaignaud

Tânia Carvalho — Doesdicon

A composition to draw fixed, non-rigid movements. Working on the rhythmic contrasts of the body, which may or may not be moving. A person goes by… But no. More people. One here, another there. How about that one? She wasn’t there before. Or was she? She was static in one spot and I didn’t see her before.
Fixed movements are then released. Not against these same movements. Not to erase them, rather to extend them. Someone else has already gone by...


Dançando com a Diferença is a dance company that was established in 2001 in Madeira. It has been an accomplice of Teatro Viriato since 2014 as a resident project. Working in several fronts, it has both at home and abroad sown the seeds of a meaningful artistic and pedagogical work, which also raises awareness about social inclusion and has been well received by the public, inclusive dance enthusiasts, schools and institutions. Its artistic director is Henrique Amoedo, who came up with the concept of inclusive dance in a scholarly setting in 2002. At Dançando com a Diferença, health (therapeutic support), education and art walk side by side—a triad that aims at individual development. All these lines of action contribute towards a permanent update of the talk about disabled people, ensuring there is room for different bodies and perspectives within the realm of contemporary dance.