The human ‘whisper’ using a bird-inspired dance technique presented by French choreographer Sadeq Waff at the Tokyo Paralympics will serve as a powerful message of ‘hope’ next week at a major UN conference on biodiversity.
COP15 organizers expect a lot of protests, so the conference venue in Montreal is surrounded by three-meter barriers.
The coalition of conservation groups has taken a more creative approach to underline its call for setting urgent goals to avoid biodiversity loss.
These organizations, led by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), joined forces with a choreographer and 80 young British dancers to create one of his “mumbles” - Sadeq Waff’s signature dance, which mimics the movements of a flock. birds.
According to the Paris-based choreographer, his last “mumble” - the English term for a swarm of starlings - speaks of “healing and hope.”
The artist hopes the dance will serve as an inspiration to “appreciate the power and beauty of collaboration and the urgency of the conversation that must take place to save and protect the nature we all rely on,” he told AFP. .
The summit in Montreal, which takes place from December 7 to 19, gives hope for an agreement on a new global framework for nature protection.
No head of state or government will attend, but the RSPB has invited British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
- “Once a decade” -
The association wants the head of government to push for a global deal that will provide momentum similar to the Paris deal reached in 2015.
Students perform a ‘whisper’ dance to mimic the movement of a flock of birds at Bird College in Sidcup, south east London on December 2, 2022. (AFP - ISABEL INFANTES) #
For world leaders, it’s a “decade-a-day opportunity” to set goals that “restore biodiversity for future generations,” says naturalist and BBC presenter Chris Packman.
Dance, in his opinion, is a vital means of conveying the need to reverse the process of biodiversity loss to everyone, and not just to those who have already subscribed to this idea.
“The RSPB has an audience, I have an audience, but it’s not big enough, we need to expand it using other aspects of our culture,” he said.
“The idea of imitating the ‘whispers’ of a flock of birds working together to achieve a goal sends a message that we all want to work at the same time,” he added.
Sadeq Waff’s tame ballets have been hailed as mesmerizing, mesmerizing and wonderfully expressive.
His previous video closing the Tokyo 2021 Paralympics and broadcast to Paris in 2024 brought together over 120 dancers, amateurs and professionals in wheelchairs.
- Make “think” -
To the uplifting composition of French singer-songwriter and director Vukid, participants from all walks of life, gender and physical ability become one in time to the music.
The video instantly went viral and gained millions of views.
The last “murmuration” is performed by students from the Bird College of Dance and Musical Theater near London.
All in black, with rolled up sleeves, behind the back of the choreographer leading the performance standing up.
“An incredible experience,” according to 22-year-old dancer Rex Boadu, who has already danced with Grammy winner Shakira or Chris Brown.
“It’s hard to look away when you start watching and taking in, interpreting the message,” he added, saying he hoped the video would “make people think” and take steps to learn about the issue.