LABO/SMALA

Smala, Nomadic Choreographic Laboratories in the Mediterranean

Context and Intent

The core aim of the Smala project is to foster encounters between diverse energies, styles, and artistic expressions, with hip hop dance acting as a unifying thread. Smala is envisioned as a traveling initiative, grounding its activities in creative territories through nomadic choreographic laboratories.

2024/2025/2026 – The Deployment of Smala

Between 2024 and 2026, several Smalas are being developed across countries around the Mediterranean. Each laboratory is co-constructed with local partners and takes on various forms: choreographic workshops, dance film creations, studio rehearsals, public space interventions, heritage enhancement through dance, and more. Every Smala retains its unique identity, shaped by the local context, while pursuing shared goals of creativity, transmission, exchange, and connection.

2024/2025 – The Smala of Tunis

As part of the Massari – Consolidating One’s Personal Path project, initiated by the French Institute of Tunisia in collaboration with the association Al Badil, a first Smala took place in Tunis. Two ten-day choreographic workshops led by Kader Attou and two members of his company brought together around fifteen Tunisian artists. A five-day workshop on production and project management, led by Anne-Sophie Dupoux, complemented the session in November 2024 and January 2025.
In partnership with Al Badil, this Smala laid the groundwork for a lasting collaboration with choreographer Selim Ben Safia, founder of the association. It also gave Kader Attou the opportunity to discover dancer and choreographer Hazem Chebbi during the Premières Chorégraphiques festival in February 2024.
In association with AMI, a three-week creative residency was held at La Friche La Belle de Mai through a partnership between Al Badil, AMI, and the PAIR program of the French Institute in Paris. Hazem Chebbi and musician Jihed Khmiri developed Tassaouef, a piece exploring Sufi spirituality through dance and music, presented on April 19, 2025, as part of La Society festival.

2024/2025 – The Smala of  Casablanca

In partnership with the association Casamémoire, the Smala of Casablanca explored the connection between dance and heritage through a workshop that brought together three local dancers and two performers from Accrorap. Held in December 2024, the session led to the creation of a video capsule filmed at the iconic Assayag building.
A second laboratory is planned for autumn 2025 with the association AMME, focusing on Amazigh and electronic music. This lab will help identify musicians who may be invited to Marseille in 2026 for the Smala of Marseille.

2025/2026 – The Smala of Caire / Kalamata / Chypre

A scouting mission conducted in November 2024 laid the groundwork for a future laboratory in Cairo, in partnership with Ezzat Dance Studio, scheduled for spring 2026.
Two additional labs will take place in Kalamata (October 2025) and Cyprus (early 2026), co-led by Kader Attou and Sophie Bulbuyan. They will bring together Greek and Cypriot dancers, along with local cultural initiatives. These phases will culminate in a final laboratory in Marseille as part of the 2026 Mediterranean Season, with a professional presentation. This project is subject to funding through an ICC call for projects submitted by the Institut français of Cyprus.

2026 – The Smala de Marseille & Beyond

Held in September 2026 at La Friche La Belle de Mai, this laboratory will bring together artists from previous Smalas for workshops, master classes, performances, and discussions. Led by AMI, the event will highlight the artistic expressions of Mediterranean youth and foster intercultural exchange.
This momentum will continue beyond 2026: starting in 2027, Kader Attou plans to initiate a large-scale choreographic creation in collaboration with artists from across the Mediterranean region.