LATERNA
LATERNA festival: Planetary Dance

Planetary Dance Ritual (Anna Halprin) – Dohee Lee / LATERNA

On the last day of the LATERNA festival, we enter into celebration of the collective. Everyone who wants to participate in the legendary Anna Halprin's Planetary Dance Ritual shows up at Black Box teater at 14.00 – and we walk together to the outdoor site where the ritual takes place – guided by drums.

The Planetary Dance is a ritual for peace, healing, and community renewal. It is an invitation to all people to join in a dance for peace, in their own communities, and for peace with the Earth. It brings people of all ages and abilities together to run, walk or simply stand in a series of concentric circles, creating a moving mandala – "for a purpose.” Much as people in traditional cultures have danced for a purpose and for so many different reasons for all ages. As participants move to the steady heartbeat of the drums, we become one collective body. The Planetary Dance is a participatory dance rather than a theatrical performance. At its heart is the Earth Run, this simple dance that everybody can do, where we run, walk, or simply stand in a series of concentric circles, creating a moving mandala together. Each step upon the Earth becomes a prayer for healing. There are usually two or three runs. Everyone starts in a huge circle with the drums (or other percussive instruments) in the center. For the first run, as they feel moved to do so, one by one, people stand, opening their arms up to the sky and calling out a personal dedication to run for someone who needs healing. This personal dedication can be a powerful experience. (Example: "I run for my father, who is living with cancer.")

For the second run, each person calls out a common cause, such as global warming concerns. (Example: "I run for clean water on all continents and for all people.") The first and second runs can be combined, with a dedication to both the personal and the global. (Example: "I run for my father, who is living with cancer, and for all people suffering from sickness.")

The third and final run is led by the children and is dedicated to their future. The children may invite adults to join them. The Planetary Dance is a collective experience that empowers, gives hope, and creates community. As Anna Halprin said it herself; "Every step becomes a call for peace. When enough people move together in a common pulse with a common purpose, an amazing force takes over – a power that can renew, inspire, and heal." You are hereby invited! – and please bring your friends or family or your beloved one along! Planetary Dance is created by Anna Halprin with James Nickson and peace-makers around the world and continue with Tamalpa Institute

Read all about the full program of LATERNA festival here