Introducing: Eleni Pierides, the new managing director of the Regional Dance Centre of Ostrobothnia
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At the turn of the year, Eleni Pierides began her role as the new director of the Ostrobothnian Regional Dance Centre. We asked her five questions to get to know her a little better.
Who are you?
I’m Eleni, originally from Central Ostrobothnia, currently living in Kokkola. Despite my Greek-sounding name, I was born and raised in Finland. My mother is originally from Kainuu, and my father is from Cyprus.
What is your background as a dancer?
I graduated as a professional dancer directly from upper secondary vocational studies in Finland, but I’ve pursued various further trainings in dance mainly abroad (Belgium, France, Denmark). I’ve worked as a freelance artist throughout my career. In recent years, I’ve focused on developing dance in my local area through my artistic work. The independent field and freelance artistry inspire me. People working in dance are (and often have to be) especially inventive in how they work and earn a living within different frameworks, structures, and communities.
What are the highlights of your career?
Various artistic collaborations and working groups have always been significant to me.
What is the role of the regional dance centre for a dance artist, and what would you like it to be in the future?
The role of the regional centre for dance and for individual dance practitioners is multifaceted. It is both a practical organization and a visionary think tank. A freelance dance artist can receive concrete support, such as communication and marketing assistance or dance centre wage, as well as a connection to a working community to support independent work. They can also join in collective ideation and dreaming about the development of the regional dance field. Simply working within the Dance Ostrobothnia area is enough and encouraged, and we aim to make this work as visible as possible. At the same time, the centre strengthens the significance and necessity of dance art in its region.
What do you expect from the future?
Naturally, I hope for world peace. In terms of dance, I look forward to the growth of Dance Ostrobothnia's s activities and to more dance artists being employed in the region and influencing it through their work—making the independent field artistically more vibrant and alternative. I anticipate all kinds of new and unprecedented developments in regional dance art.
If you’d like to get to know Eleni better or need support or advice related to your dance work, feel free to contact her:
eleni.pierides@pohjanmaantanssi.fi
045-1364372