The aim of these meetings is to enrich the field of Czech choreography while developing an international dimension of high quality. Through this Czech performers and choreographers benefit from contemporary dance developments elsewhere, particularly in France, and thus acquire more autonomy and depth.
Throughout the year SE.S.TA ensures continuous professional development, something which does not otherwise exist in the country, and gives professionals useful tools, as much at a technical as at a creative level, with quality and frequency of the utmost importance

The concrete aim of SE.S.TA / Contemporary Dance Encounters) is to create a framework for the further training of dance professionals: teachers, dancers and choreographers.

1) Creative independence of dancers, teachers and choreographers

2) Developing precise knowledge of the principles of movement (kinesiology and its application to technique)

3) Methods of improvising and composing in order to deepen and broaden their significance (workshops and butoh).

This training programme takes place regularly (five times a year). Teachers from France, Japan and Europe are representing a specific technique or field of dance.

1. International choreographic creation:
Project of co-operation between European and Japanese choreographers and Czech dancers: Mezi dvěma / Between Two and Cestou s ní / Journey with her – Serge Ambert 2002, 2003
Svědek /Witness – Claude Brumachon, Benjamin Lamarche, 2002, 2003
Kronika kosti / The Bone Chronicle – Sumako Koseki, 2004

2. Workshops in Prague:
Workshops: these bring to Prague highly experienced French and Japanese teachers (the Paris High National Conservatory of Dance and Music CNSMD, Institute of Pedagogy and Choreographic Research IPRC, National Choreographic Centre, etc.) Workshops are regularly re-run to facilitate more profound results. These can be classifyed into three categories: workshops in technique; workshops in the analysis of dance movement, which are developed regularly and often; workshops as choreographic laboratories.
Classes: these are run throughout the year for professionals and are taught by Marie Kinsky and by guest teachers.

3. Workshops in France:
Thanks to planned co-operation over the next three years with Anne-Marie Reynaud, director of the IPRC (Dept.of Pedagogy of the National Dance Centre/ Centre National de la Danse). Performers, teachers and choreographers selected in the Czech Republic have an opportunity to participate in supplementary, three-week long workshops in France at the heart of the IPRC, or as apprentices in previously chosen French companies (CCN, Nantes, Fetes Galantes, Post-Retroguardia...).