LABO/SMALA

Smala, Nomadic Choreographic Laboratories in the Mediterranean

Context and Intent
The central aim of this project is to foster encounters between diverse energies, artistic languages, and creative expressions, while connecting them through hip-hop dance as a common thread. Smala is conceived as an itinerant project, anchoring its activities across creative territories through nomadic choreographic laboratories.

2024/2025 /2026 – The Development of Smala

Over 2024, 2025, and 2026, several Smalas are being launched in countries around the Mediterranean basin. Each laboratory is co-constructed with local partners and takes different forms, choreographic workshops, dance film creation, studio rehearsals, public space interventions, heritage enhancement through dance, and more. Each laboratory maintains its own identity, adapting to the local context while pursuing shared goals of creativity, transmission, exchange, and connection.

2024/2025 – The Tunis Smala

As part of the Massari – Consolidating One’s Personal Trajectory project initiated by the Institut Français of Tunisia, in partnership with the company Al Badil, the first Smala was held in Tunis.
In January 2025, two ten-day choreographic workshops led by Kader Attou and two dancers from his company brought together around fifteen artists from across Tunisia. A five-day participatory workshop on production and project management, conducted by Anne-Sophie Dupoux, complemented the program.

This Smala paved the way for a long-term partnership with choreographer and cultural figure Selim Ben Safia, founder and director of Al Badil. It also allowed Kader Attou to discover the work of dancer Hazem Chebbi during the Premières Chorégraphiques Festival in February 2024.

Following these exchanges, a three-week creation residency was held at La Friche la Belle de Mai in partnership with Al Badil, AMI, and the PAIR program of the Institut Français de Paris.
In September 2025, the Accrorap Studio hosted Selim Ben Safia to begin developing his new piece Labes.

In April 2025, Accrorap and AMI welcomed choreographer Hazem Chebbi and musician Jihed Khmiri for Tassaouef, a creation blending dance, music, and Sufi spirituality.

In September 2025, Tunisian choreographer Selim Ben Safia (Compagnie Al Badil) was again in residence at Accrorap Studio to continue Labes, a work that bridges traditional Arab dances, contemporary intensity, and live music.

2024/2025 – The Casablanca Smala

In partnership with Casamémoire (Morocco)
In December 2024, the Casablanca Smala brought together three local dancers and two dancers from Accrorap for a choreographic laboratory exploring the link between dance and heritage. The work led to the production of a video capsule filmed in the emblematic Assayag Building.

In partnership with AMME – Moroccan Association for Electronic and Amazigh Music
A second choreographic laboratory is scheduled for December 2025, focusing on the dialogue between dance, Amazigh music, and electronic sounds. This laboratory will also identify musicians to be invited to Marseille in 2026 for The Smala of Marseille.

2025/2026 – The Smalas of Cairo / Kalamata / Cyprus

The Smala of Cairo
A scouting trip took place in Cairo in November 2024. In partnership with Ezzat Dance Studio, a choreographic laboratory led by choreographer Ezzat Ismaïl is scheduled from 8 to 12 February 2026.

The Smala of Kalamata and Cyprus
A creation laboratory will take place in Kalamata from 21 to 30 October 2025, bringing together five Greek and Cypriot dancers, alongside cultural engagement activities in the region.
The work will continue in Limassol from 20 to 28 April 2026, with new dancers joining through an audition process.
These stages will culminate in a final laboratory in Marseille as part of the Saison Méditerranée 2026, including a professional presentation.

2026 – The Smala of Marseille

Dance and Music Laboratory
September 2026 (provisional dates: 9–19 September) – Friche la Belle de Mai

This major laboratory will bring together around twenty choreographic artists and musicians, as well as ten cultural actors from participating countries. Guest contributors will enrich the encounters.
Co-constructed with cultural partners from each territory, the event will showcase the artistic expressions of young Mediterranean generations. The program will include choreographic workshops, masterclasses, project management and cultural mediation sessions, screenings, and the preparation of a public closing evening.

Led by AMI, this laboratory will promote intercultural dialogue and lay the groundwork for an ambitious future choreographic project involving Mediterranean artists from 2027 onward.

The Smala de Marseille project has received the Saison Méditerranée 2026 label from the Institut Français de Paris.