In September 2025, Marrugeku’s Co-Artistic Directors Dalisa Pigram and Rachael Swain were invited to the Lyon Dance Biennale’s inaugural FORUM by Guest Curator Angela Conquet. This was an opportunity to share Marrugeku’s methodologies alongside artists from Mozambique, Taiwan, Turtle Island and Brazil. Their curated program of five events on the theme of Dance, Climate and Contested Land, positioned Marrugeku at the centre of global conversations, connecting dance and community experience, indigenous leadership and Country. Focus Dance within the Lyon Dance Biennale is renowned as the key international networking place for programmers of contemporary dance and attended by over 600 presenters from Europe and North America. The FORUM establishes a unique space for exchange and artistic experience entrusted to curators and artists from outside Europe. This invitation was significant for Marrugeku as it represents an extraordinary opportunity to profile Dalisa & Rachael as leaders in intercultural indigenous dance practice globally, while enhancing Marrugeku’s reputation in Europe. Marrugeku also invited Bunuba Elder June Oscar, a cultural custodian from Fitzroy Crossing, and Maori/ Settler artist Victoria Hunt to serve as keynote speakers, joining the wider Marrugeku family to help facilitate dialogue and activity across the curated program. The Lyon Biennale further presented Gudirr Gudirr to showcase Marrugeku’s wider practice. Considering the legacy of Australia’s history for Aboriginal people in northwest Australia today, Gudirr Gudirr calls as a warning to a community facing massive industrialisation on traditional lands, loss of language and major gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous wellbeing.
Read more about FORUM here.
Photograph of FORUM artists and curators at Lyon Dance Biennale.
Image Credit: Lyon Dance Biennale
