The community dance project Ballroom Bliss, created by the Berlin-based artist duo deufert&plischke arrives to Cultural Centre Valve in December.
The free-of-charge and open-for-all programme offers four workshops and a final event that concludes Valve’s Capital of Culture year.
Within a decade, Ballroom Bliss has visited over twenty cities around the world while bringing people together among dance, stories and shared experiences. In Oulu the programme consists of four workshops happening between the 14th–17th of December 2026, and of a final event open for all, on Saturday 19th of December at 6 pm.
The workshops of Ballroom Bliss Oulu will let the participants explore their relationship with dance, write personal “letters to dance” and share movements that are meaningful to them. The workshop sign-up is now open. Everyone is welcome to join regardless of their age, background or previous dance experience.
The Final Celebration – Bringing People Together Beyond The Everyday Limitations
At the core of Ballroom Bliss is the idea of encounters. The project brings together people who might not otherwise meet in everyday life, while building connections beyond social and cultural borders. The movements and experiences shared at the workshops will be woven into a living Oulu tapestry of dance that carries the local stories within.
The culmination of this project is the Final Celebration happening at Valvesali Hall on Saturday the 19th of December, where the movements and stories born during the workshops come to life. To be expected, is a warm-hearted dance event gathering together a diverse group of people. At this relaxed christmassy celebration everyone can dive in the shared joy and creativity accompanied by a DJ set. There are 250 free tickets available for the final celebration. The free tickets can be picked up from Valve Ticket Office on Wednesday the 2nd of December onwards.
Ballroom Bliss Oulu is organised in cooperation by deufert&plischke, Cultural Centre Valve and Xulu202x and it’s part of the official Oulu2026 – European Capital of Culture programme. The project has been funded by the Ministry of Culture and Science of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
