The Capitol acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. We respectfully acknowledge their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. We also acknowledge the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

Lighting Off
Presented in partnership with RISING

HIJRA’H by Rianto

When
Thur 9 - Sun 12 June
Doors open:6.30pm
Event starts:7pm
Where
The Theatre
Tickets
$45-50 + transaction fee

Renowned Indonesian choreographer and dancer Rianto connects to a rich traditional past to inform the present. 

In HIJRA’H, he explores the history and culture of the Indonesian island Sulawesi.  In the Island’s people and history, he uncovers gender expression in dance forms dating back to pre-Islam animism, where transgender spiritual figures were greatly valued. With acclaimed filmmaker Garin Nugroho, collaborator and vocalist Cahwati Sugiarto and Sulawesi performance maker Abdi Karya, they mine the rich seam between traditional and contemporary culture, and between male and female. Combining dance, music and film, their onstage ritual reveals gender fluidity is not just a contemporary phenomenon, but in fact an important and respected role in Indonesian culture now under threat by conservative religious politics.

A post-show Q&A will take place on Thursday 9 June where Rianto will converse with Jala Adolphus about his relationship to “Hijra’h” and the personal journey of considering his body as a library.