Dr Amanda Rogers is a Senior Lecturer in Human Geography in the Department of Geography at Swansea University
From: 8 Feb 2018, 6 p.m.To: 8 Feb 2018, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Grove Lecture Theatre - Drinks will be served beforehand at 17:00 in Science Central, Wallace Building, Singleton Park Campus, Park Campus
This lecture discusses how contemporary Cambodian dance-drama responds to the legacies of war and genocide. During the Khmer Rouge (1975-1979) around 90% of Cambodian dancers were executed owing to their association with elite society. Much of the reconstruction and revival of Cambodian dance has emphasised narratives of survival and survivors. In this process, the restoration of dance is linked to the restoration of the nation and its cultural identity. However, a younger generation of dancers – and increasingly, their elder master counterparts – are developing new modes of expression. In moving beyond associations with the violence of the Khmer Rouge era, the contemporary Cambodian dance world navigates a series of problematic issues. These include: the relationship between national identity and globalisation; the desire among international audiences for Khmer Rouge stories; and issues of self-censorship and social expectations. Drawing upon on-going fieldwork in Cambodia, the lecture discusses these dynamics by exploring recent dance productions.
Contact: Sandra Kramcha (Email: s.kramcha@swansea.ac.uk) - Telephone: 01792 295333
Event created by: a.c.ratcliffe