Shifting Sounds

‘To shift’ means to move or alter something: a way of thinking, a system, a belief. Sometimes this happens suddenly and visibly, but change can also unfold slowly and imperceptibly. Shifting Sounds brings together voices that each create shifts in their own way. The festival’s opening by Brussels Philharmonic demonstrates how an orchestra can be political, with compositions by, among others, Tyshawn Sorey, who questions hierarchies in musical genres. The Russian collective Pussy Riot presents their powerful RIOT DAYS - a multimedia performance concert recounting the collective’s history, from their regime-critical performances in 2012 to the war in Ukraine today. In Ali Chahrour’s When I Saw The Sea, three women share their stories of becoming victims of modern slavery and their fight for survival. Trajal Harrell creates a universal, timeless dance that embraces diverse identities and life stories. During Shifting Sounds, these voices are heard and celebrated with both tenderness and strength. After Philipp Blom and Safae el Khannoussi, Simon(e) van Saarloos has the honour of opening the new season.