GroundBreakers is a contemporary dance company in Amsterdam combining Chinese philosophy and contemporary movement.

Contemporary Dance & Chinese Philosophy in Amsterdam

GroundBreakers is a contemporary dance company based in Amsterdam, combining Chinese philosophy with Western contemporary dance.

The work is rooted in ideas from Zhuangzi and Zen, where movement emerges from attention, breath, and inner stillness rather than fixed form. Practices such as tai chi and traditional Chinese movement principles form the physical foundation of the work.

Within a Western context of contemporary dance, these elements are not presented as cultural symbols, but as a living artistic language. The result is a distinct performance style where abstraction meets physical presence, and where movement reflects both inner states and social realities.

Artistic Themes

GroundBreakers explores a range of themes through movement:

• The body as a carrier of memory

• Identity and cultural transformation

• The relationship between stillness and action

• Social and historical realities expressed through the body

Some works also engage with the impact of war, not as narrative, but as something that lives in the body through tension, memory, and gesture.

Selected Works

Freedom Is Not Free

A contemporary dance performance exploring how war is experienced and remembered through the body. Developed through encounters with Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands, the work reflects on memory, loss, and the physical traces of conflict.

Opium Flower

A performance focused on identity, femininity, and the experience of Chinese/Asian women in a Western context. The work explores layered cultural identities through movement, voice, and presence.

Chinese Dinner

A new production examining Chinese community life in the Netherlands, using the setting of a restaurant as a space where stories of migration, labor, and cultural interaction unfold.

Performances and Activities

GroundBreakers performs in theaters, public spaces, and festivals across the Netherlands, including Amsterdam.

The company also offers workshops and educational programs, introducing participants to a movement practice inspired by breath, awareness, and principles from both Eastern philosophy and contemporary performance.

FAQ

What makes GroundBreakers different from other dance companies?
GroundBreakers combines Chinese philosophy, such as Zhuangzi and Zen, with Western contemporary dance, creating a unique movement language.

Where can I see GroundBreakers perform in Amsterdam?
Performances take place in theaters, festivals, and public spaces. Upcoming events are announced on the website.

Do you offer workshops?
Yes, GroundBreakers offers workshops that integrate movement, breath, and elements from traditional Chinese practices.

Is the performance suitable for international audiences?
Yes, the performances are largely non-verbal and accessible to audiences from different cultural backgrounds.