DanceMap: Macedonia Joins Pioneering Initiative to Protect European Dance Heritage

For the first time, Macedonia will be part of a major European project in the field of arts, thanks to the DanceMap initiative. Lokomotiva – Center for New Initiatives in Art and Culture, along with 15 other organizations from Europe, will work on the development, preservation, and promotion of European dance heritage. This initiative is supported by the Horizon Europe program of the European Union for funding research and innovation, which is particularly significant as it marks the first time funds have been allocated for dance, and for the arts in general, in Macedonia.

What is DanceMap?

DanceMap is an ambitious three-year project (2025–2027) aimed at mapping, preserving, and promoting dance practices as intangible cultural heritage. Its mission is to develop an innovative, cross-sectoral approach to safeguarding this artistic expression, combining research, digitization, and public advocacy.

DanceMap is a pioneering project funded by the Horizon Europe program and will run for three years, from January 2025 to December 2027. The project is part of the research cluster "Culture, Creativity, and Inclusive Society" and aims to develop a cross-sectoral strategy for the protection and promotion of Europe's rich dance heritage.

The DanceMap consortium consists of 16 research centers, universities, dance archives, artistic organizations, and policy experts from ten countries, coordinated by Bureau Ritter. Over the next three years, DanceMap will research and map existing dance heritage initiatives across Europe, develop an interactive digital platform, promote a holistic approach to safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, and advocate for stronger public policies to support dance heritage.

This is an exceptional opportunity for Macedonia to be part of such a significant European endeavor. Lokomotiva's participation in this project will contribute to the affirmation of Macedonian culture and arts at a European level, as well as to strengthening the capacities of local organizations and institutions working in the field of dance.

Who is Behind DanceMap?

The consortium includes some of the most prestigious organizations and institutions in the field of dance and culture:

• Bureau Ritter (Germany) – project coordinator

• C DaRE (Centre for Dance Research) at Coventry University (United Kingdom)

• University of Antwerp (Belgium)

• Deutsches Tanzarchiv Köln (Germany)

• STUK House for Dance, Image and Sound (Belgium)

• Culturgest (Portugal)

• Noa Eshkol Foundation (Israel)

• Station Centre for Contemporary Dance (Serbia)

• Nomad Dance Academy Slovenia (Slovenia)

• Nomad Dance Academy Croatia (Croatia)

• Brain Store Project (Bulgaria)

• Rosas (Belgium)

• Culture Concepts (Germany)

• Goethe-Institut (Germany)

This initiative represents a groundbreaking step forward for Macedonia, positioning it as an active participant in the preservation and promotion of Europe's cultural heritage. Stay tuned for more updates as DanceMap unfolds!