Tales of an African Child
by Express-so
On November 8, at Dance House Lefkosia, Tales of an African Child captivated the audience with a powerful blend of movement, storytelling, and emotion.
The performance featured the dance duo Express-so, exploring the journeys of African youth as they navigate identity, expectation, ambition, and belonging. Through a fusion of Afro dance and spoken word, the show highlighted the tension between tradition, cultural norms, and personal self-expression.
The programme unfolded with Express-so performing compelling sequences that traced the experiences of African children dreaming beyond borders, confronting stereotypes, and discovering resilience in new communities. Joined by Q Smith, with soundtracks by Giggs, the performance combined rhythm, storytelling, and music to create an immersive dialogue celebrating strength, friendship, and the forging of chosen families in foreign spaces.
Photographer: Mark Ashwell @mdashwell
Express-so are resident artists of RELATE (REveaL – Art To Exchange), a program supporting Cyprus-based migrant artists through mentorship, production, public showcases, and transnational networks.
RELATE is led by Visual Voices (CY), Generation for Change (CY), and l’atelier des artistes en exil (FR), and is co-funded by the European Union through the CERV programme.
#RELATEproject #Culture #Art #CreativeExchange #SociallyEngagedArts
🎭A wonderful range of cultural performances will be showcased at the festival, exploring the themes of shared identity, marginalisation, strength in community, and resilience.
From poetry recitals to theatre skits, dance, and musical performances, Marios Tokas Square will come alive with cultural moves and colours from around the globe.
👉Download the full programme here: /file/d/15F_Maam65W1e6-XUL_KljrNKI2BZTzK0/view?pli=1
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🎭Μια υπέροχη ποικιλία πολιτιστικών παραστάσεων θα παρουσιαστεί στο φεστιβάλ, εξερευνώντας θέματα όπως η κοινή ταυτότητα, ο αποκλεισμός, η δύναμη της κοινότητας και η ανθεκτικότητα.
Από απαγγελίες ποίησης μέχρι θεατρικά δρώμενα, χορό και μουσικές παραστάσεις, η Πλατεία Μάριου Τόκα θα γεμίσει ζωή με πολιτιστικές κινήσεις και χρώματα από όλο τον κόσμο.
👉Κατεβάστε ολόκληρο το πρόγραμμα εδώ: /file/d/15F_Maam65W1e6-XUL_KljrNKI2BZTzK0/view?pli=1
🔥 AFRO WORKSHOP ALERT! 🔥
Get ready to move, sweat, and vibe with pure African energy!
Join @collinsswit & @spirit_movz (Express-So) for an unforgettable Afro Workshop at Duo Flow Dance Studio — where rhythm meets soul. 🌟
📅Saturday, 29/11
🕖 18:00 – 19:30
📍 Duo Flow Dance Studio, Pyrenees 10A, Limassol 3011
Whether you're a beginner or a pro, come feel the groove, learn fresh moves, and connect with the Afro dance community. Let’s flow together! 💫
🎶 Expect: Afrobeat, energy, connection, and lots of fun!
#afrodance #danceworkshop #afroworkshop #limassoldance #afroclass #dancecyprus #danceclass #limassol
At the 2nd Intercultural Street Festival of Kourion Municipality, creativity takes centre stage!
✨Our workshops invite everyone to join in hands-on, immersive experiences that celebrate connection, creativity, and cultural exchange. Through making, dancing, and crafting together, participants will discover how creativity nurtures resilience - helping us adapt, express ourselves, and find joy even in challenging times.
🎨 Try your hand at wood-block printing, stencil art, pithkiavli carving, Afro-dance, or hand-stitching a traditional Chinese bag.
Each activity offers a moment of learning, laughter, and shared inspiration - a reminder that our roots may differ, but creativity unites us all.
All workshops are offered free of charge to everyone.
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Στο 2ο Διαπολιτισμικό Φεστιβάλ του Δήμου Κουρίου, η δημιουργικότητα έχει τον πρώτο λόγο!
✨Τα εργαστήρια καλούν όλους και όλες να συμμετάσχουν σε διαδραστικές, βιωματικές εμπειρίες που γιορτάζουν τη σύνδεση, τη δημιουργία και την ανταλλαγή πολιτισμών. Φτιάχνοντας, χορεύοντας και δημιουργώντας μαζί, οι συμμετέχοντες/ουσες ανακαλύπτουν πώς η δημιουργικότητα καλλιεργεί την ανθεκτικότητα, μας βοηθά να προσαρμοζόμαστε, να εκφραζόμαστε και να βρίσκουμε χαρά ακόμη και στις πιο δύσκολες στιγμές.
🎨 Θα έχετε την ευκαιρία να δοκιμάσετε τεχνικές στάμπας σε ύφασμα, στένσιλ, κατασκευή πιθκιαυλιού, Αφρο-χορό και ραφή παραδοσιακής κινεζικής τσάντας.
Κάθε δραστηριότητα είναι μια ευκαιρία για μάθηση, δημιουργία και σύνδεση - μια υπενθύμιση ότι, παρόλο που οι ρίζες μας διαφέρουν, η δημιουργία μας ενώνει.
Η συμμετοχή σε όλα τα εργαστήρια είναι δωρεάν.
Who remembers this one?😏
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Always a vibe with these two 🔥🔥
@spirit_movz X @collinsswit
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Oh , and the teach at the studio btw 😁
Mondays 19:30 - 20:30
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#urbanoasis #uroasis #urworkshops #afroworkshop
Tales of an African Child
by Express-so
Dance
Part of the RELATE Festival (Autumn–Winter 2025)
08 November | Doors Open: 19:30
Dance House Lefkosia
Visual Voices (CY), Generation for Change (CY), l’atelier des artistes en exil (FR), and Dance House Lefkosia invite you to Tales of an African Child by the dance duo Express-so (composed of Collins Ugo and Chinonso Onyia, also known as Spirit).
Through a fusion of Afro dance and spoken word, Tales of an African Child narrates the journey of African youth navigating identity, expectation, ambition, and belonging. The performance explores the complex realities shaped by cultural norms and parental expectations, where stability and tradition are often prioritised over passion and self-expression. In school halls, success is measured by hard study and following the “right” path. But what happens when that path is not their own?
“As children, we dreamed beyond borders. We imagined Europe, its lights, its freedoms, its promises. It was a place we thought would embrace us, where our ambitions would finally find space to bloom. But upon arrival, fantasy dissolved into reality. We were met not with open arms, but with silent stares and spoken stereotypes. Discrimination, isolation, and the aching question followed: ‘Why am I different? Why am I not enough?’
Tales of an African Child doesn’t just dwell in the pain, it celebrates resilience. It reveals how in foreign places, we found familiarity with each other. Strangers became friends, and friends became chosen families. Together, we carved our belongings, danced through the silence, and spoke the truth our younger selves needed to hear.”
Collins and Spirit are joined by Q Smith, with soundtracks by Giggs.
#RELATEproject, #Culture, #Art #CreativeExchange #sociallyengagedarts
🔥 AFRO DANCE WORKSHOP ALERT! 🔥
We’re thrilled to welcome @express_so to Duo Flow Dance Studio for an unforgettable Afro Dance Workshop! 💃🏾🕺🏾
Get ready to move, groove, and express yourself with pure energy and rhythm. 🌍✨ Saturday, 1st of November
🕖 19:00 – 20:30
📍 Duo Flow Dance Studio, Pyrenees 10A, Limassol 3011
Fee: €25
🎟️ Spots are limited — book yours now, and don’t miss out on this epic Afro experience!
Cancellation must be made at least 24 hours before the workshop.
#afrodance #danceworkshop #limassoldance #workshop #afrovibes #afroworkshop #limassol #danceclass #ʙᴏᴏᴋɴᴏᴡ
We know you love their vibe so we teamed up for two new announcements 🥹
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Workshop & NEW REGULAR CLASS announcement with @collinsswit & @spirit_movz 🔥🔥
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🟢Workshop 04/10 - Saturday @ 17:30-19:30
🟣Weekly classes (Starting October) - Mondays @ 19:30-20:30
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DM to book UR spots ✌🏻
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#urbanoasis #uroasis #urworkshops #afroclasses
