Generations
En–Knap tries to cover the widest possible spectrum of activities in the field of contemporary dance within its venues and has, with this in mind, also expanded into arts and cultural education, seeking ways of engaging children and young people with contemporary dance and presenting it in an accessible, comprehensible, yet comprehensive way. En–Knap has been researching such programmes since 2010 and it has, over the years, created numerous projects and event formats for children, youth and teachers, who represent an important link between young people and cultural institutions. As an exploration of their own identities, dance education is understood also as an encounter: a first step into the expanded field of movement.
The Generations programme addresses different age groups, from very young children to teenagers, and takes place both at the Španski Borci Cultural Centre and directly in schools and kindergartens. Each year, it cooperates with over 50 institutions across Slovenia, with the National Education Institute of Slovenia and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia. The ongoing programme represents a pioneering model of arts and cultural education in the field of contemporary dance in Slovenia. Addressing different age groups, it also encompasses a wide range of formats: from movement workshops and elective classes (at Španski borci, as well as directly in kindergartens and schools) to educational performances, themed backstage tours and VR experiences of dance works.
Dear teachers and educators,
we offer an individual approach and can design programmes tailored specifically for your group. Performances can be combined with additional activities - workshops, discussions with the artists, backstage tours and more. Most of our programme is accompanied by free educational materials adapted to the age group. These materials support preparation before the performance and discussion after attending it.
Join us!
We bring the programme directly to your school.
Stage360 was designed for both dance audiences and newcomers alike. The format adapts to a very wide range of spaces, allowing dance and choreography to go to new environments and reach audiences with limited access to theatres. Stage360 is well suited to schools, community centres, hospitals, libraries and smaller cultural venues. And while stepping out of the theatre, it does not seek to replace it – rather, it expands their possibilities.
I. During the first school period (45 minutes), students enter the world of the dance performance through VR headsets, directly from their classroom. We provide all necessary equipment, including VR headsets, headphones, seating and technical support. No special preparation is required from the school.
II. In the second part (45 min), students continue with a dance and movement workshop led by dancers from our team in the gym or another suitable space. Through simple movement tasks and creative exercises, students explore some of the themes and ideas they encountered in the VR performance.
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Beware, Dance! 360 #stage360
Suitable for ➝ primary school 3rd cycle, secondary school
A travelling virtual stage. A lively introduction to contemporary dance, revealing artistic processes, composition, improvisation and choreographic thinking through movement, video and conversation.
Themes: contemporary dance, artistic processes, critical thinking, performing arts.
Beware, Dance! 4 #stage
Suitable for ➝ primary school 3rd cycle, secondary school
A lively introduction to contemporary dance, revealing artistic processes, composition, improvisation and choreographic thinking through movement, video and conversation.
Themes: contemporary dance, artistic processes, critical thinking, performing arts.
Martin Krpan (part two) #stage
Suitable for ➝ age 5+, primary school
A humorous continuation of the famous Slovenian literary character's story, exploring community, ecology and responsibility through dance.
Themes: community, environmental awareness, responsibility, Slovenian literature, cooperation.
Ant Ferocious #stage
Suitable for ➝ kindergarten 2+, primary school 1st cycle
An interactive dance performance inspired by the beloved children's song.
Themes: friendship, conflict and reconciliation, emotions, communication, empathy
OHO #stage
Suitable for ➝ kindergarten 4+, primary school 1st cycle
A playful world of movement, music and imagination, where stories emerge through gesture, rhythm and visual invention.
Themes: creativity, play, movement, visual thinking, curiosity
Dance & movement workshops
Suitable for ➝ age 5+, primary school, high school
Participants discover how performances are created through easy and approachable choreographies at a practical dance workshop led by members of En–Knap Group.
Backstage tour
Suitable for ➝ age 5+, primary school, high school
What happens behind the curtain before a performance begins? This guided visit takes participants through the hidden spaces of the theatre, introducing the people, tools and processes that make a performance possible. From the stage and lighting booth to rehearsal spaces and technical equipment, students discover how many different skills come together to create a live event. The tour is adapted to different age groups and connected to the performance they have seen, either on stage or in virtual reality.
Meet the artists
Suitable for ➝ primary school 3rd cycle, high school
Conversations with choreographers, dancers and guest artists offer a closer look at how performances are created. Together, we explore where ideas come from, how movement becomes a language, and how dance can speak about identity, relationships, technology and the world around us.
What is a choreographer actually doing? How do dancers create movement? Can a body tell a story? How does contemporary dance approach themes such as identity, belonging, friendship, difference or community? Each conversation is adapted to the performance and age group, encouraging young audiences to connect their own experiences with the artistic process.
Gibališče is a series of weekly dance workshops where, together with our dance educators, children step into the wonderful world of imagination through movement while expanding the horizons of both body and mind. As we dance, share ideas and create together, we also build meaningful connections with one another. Gibališče offers a space for first encounters with creative movement, encouraging exploration, the discovery of each child's own dance language and the building of community through dance.
The programme was inspired by Ant Ferocious (Huda mravljica), a performance by En–Knap Group. Children attend the workshops independently. Parents may be present only during the introductory period or when a child requires additional support, in which case they are invited to participate actively in the session.
REGISTRATION AND INFORMATION
Monthly fee (4 sessions): €35
Three-month fee (12 sessions): €90
Single visit: €10
Families enrolling two or more children receive a 10% discount.
For registration and information, please contact the programme organiser and coordinator:
Katja Gabrijelčič
katja.gabrijelcic@en-knap.com
+386 1 620 87 83
SCHEDULE
Tuesdays
17:00–18:00 → Gibališče Explorers (ages 6–8)
18:00–19:00 → Gibališče Dance Lab I (ages 9–11)
Wednesdays
17:00–17:45 → Gibališče Playground (ages 3–5)
18:00–19:00 → Gibališče Dance Lab II (ages 12–14)
GIBALIŠČE PLAYGROUND (group ages 4–5)
Playground is intended for children aged 4 to 5 who wish to enter the magical world of imagination through movement. Imagination – like a bag without a bottom, boundless and rich – serves as our starting point for exploring movement and discovering each child’s own dance expression.
During the sessions we learn about and explore our bodies, their sensations, abilities and limits, which we continuously expand. Children discover dance principles through guided improvisation, playful games, guided movement tasks and short dance motifs. Inspiration comes from fairy tales, art, natural phenomena and our everyday world.
During the sessions, we often also “record” our dance experiences through another medium – for example, on paper.
GIBALIŠČE EXPLORERS (group ages 6–8)
Explorers is intended for children aged 6 to 8 who wish to wander through the world of dance and imagination.
Through guided improvisation, guided movement tasks, technical dance elements, playful games and short dance motifs and choreographies, children learn about and explore their bodies, their sensations, abilities and limits – which we continuously push further. The sessions gradually introduce the basics of dance composition.
All of these elements serve as tools for discovering and exploring each child’s own way of moving, their own movement language and the imaginative storm of ideas that drives it.
Our creative inspiration comes from art, natural phenomena and stories from everyday life. During the sessions, dance experiences are also often “recorded” through other media – for example, on paper.
GIBALIŠČE DANCE LAB I (group ages 9–11) and GIBALIŠČE DANCE LAB II (group ages 12–14)
Gibališče Dance Lab is intended for children aged 9 to 13 who want to explore and strengthen their bodies through movement.
Through learning contemporary dance vocabulary, participants explore the functionality of the body, its individuality and its capacities.
The workshop combines learning set dance material, which develops the body’s flexibility and precision, with improvisation methods through which we explore the space around us, establish contact with other dancers and the group and open fields of imagination that lead to the creation of individual movement material. The goal of the workshop is to encourage children to move and awaken their desire for self-expression through movement.
Alongside performances, weekly Gibališče workshops in En–Knap’s dance studios introduce the youngest participants to creative movement through play and curiosity.
A subscription programme for young dancers who perform at Španski borci during the season through dance schools, clubs, associations and other groups. Throughout the 2026/2027 season, En–Knap and Španski borci will present a lively programme of contemporary dance: performances by En–Knap Group, international guest productions, short dance formats, dance films, VR experiences, artist talks and the NaKnap Festival.
When joining, all participants receive their personal subscription card. Throughout the season, they will collect stamps by attending selected events from the programme. Every visit counts.
8 stamps = a special reward
Participants who collect eight stamps will be invited to an exclusive workshop with the dancers of En–Knap Group. This is an opportunity to spend a day with a contemporary dance ensemble, dance together, ask questions and gain insight into the daily life of a professional dance company. Subscribers will also receive a special gift.
How to join?
Registration is open throughout the season through your dance school, association or mentor.
For more information and registration ➝ generations@en-knap.com
Free of charge
The subscription is free of charge. Because dance is something that grows when it is shared.
Through "Mladi plesni borci in borke" subscription, En–Knap creates lasting relationships with young dancers who already perform at Španski Borci, inviting them to return not only as performers but also as spectators, participants and future members of the contemporary dance community.
