Skip to content

ITROTRA–MAP

4th ITROTRA–MAP Dance Festival at The Market Theatre 

Itrotra Art X Connection (IAXC), in partnership with leading South African and international cultural institutions, proudly presents the 4th edition of the ITROTRA–MAP Dance Festival, taking place from 27 February to 7 March 2026 across Soweto and Johannesburg. This project has been funded by the Barloworld Empowerment Foundation. 

Hosted at The Market Theatre, University of Johannesburg Arts & Culture, Alliance Française of Johannesburg, Goethe-Institut South Africa, Bapedi Hall (Soweto) and selected schools, the Festival reaffirms its position as a vital Mobile Art Platform (MAP)—connecting artists, audiences and communities through movement, dialogue and social engagement. 

 The 2026 edition unfolds under the powerful theme: “SAFE SPACES, SAFE LIVES.”  

The Festival is co-curated by Gaby Saranouffi (Madagascar/South Africa) and Moeketsi Koena (SA).  Both are internationally respected choreographers, educators and cultural leaders whose shared vision continues to position ITROTRA–MAP as a leading contemporary dance platform on the African continent. 

Buy Tickets

Anchored in the conviction that a clean environment is a human right, and so is the right to live free from violence, the Festival positions contemporary dance as a catalyst for social  reflection, resistance, healing and transformation. Through performances, films, workshops, flash mobs, exhibitions and public conversations, ITROTRA–MAP confronts urgent realities of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), environmental justice, masculinity, mental health and human dignity.

 Rooted in the legacy of the ITROTRA International Contemporary Dance Festival of Madagascar – now in its 17th international edition – the South African chapter continues to strengthen Afro-global artistic exchange. The Festival brings together established and emerging artists from South Africa, Madagascar, Mozambique, Sweden, France and Germany, presenting a rich interdisciplinary programme that includes high-calibre contemporary dance and dance-theatre performances, circus and youth-focused works, dance film screenings and artist talks, professional choreographic residencies and workshops, school performances and community outreach initiatives as well as an immersive GBVF-focused visual art exhibition.  

 The Festival will open on 27 February 2026 at The Market Theatre (Barney Simon), forming part of the theatre’s 50th anniversary celebrations. The opening will launch with a powerful triple bill featuring a spoken-word performance by Kgotso Koena with live saxophone by Karabo Mohlala. Again, Moeketsi Koena will present MEKGWA – Habits (Reimagined), while Luthando Arts Academy will showcase SEHOKOLO – Missing Link.  

 International and local highlights include works by Thierry Randriatsitohaina (Madagascar), Vincent Mantsoe (France/SA), Thabiso Pule (SA), Deus Nos Acudi–Pak Ndjamena (Mozambique), Kwanele Finch (SA) and many more. 

 Selected events will be ticketed via Webtickets, Quicket and box office; many events are free entry.