Ljuzem Madiljin (Tjimur Dance Theatre)

Montemor in Portuguese means the biggest hill; Timur in Paiwan language means a place where the heart yearns for.

Born and raised in the Timur tribal community in Pingtung, Ljuzem Madiljin has spent ten years on her walking project, Ljuzem’s Walk, that is her therapeutic trek aimed at finding herself as well as a path of self-cultivation for all who desire something in life.

The 2-week residency at O Espaço do Tempo is Ljuzem’s first residency in life as well as her first time visiting Portugal. During her research in Montemor-o-Novo, Ljuzem walks everyday through the city, between the temporary resident place, theaters and discovers those hidden stories in corners of the city as well as the unseen beauty in the daily path. At the end of her residency, Ljuzem invites people to walk with her from the place where her heart yearns for to (re)discover the moments of dialogue and of self-caring.

"Each step is progress in rebuilding myself and a bit of self-therapy, and each walk is a way to rediscover my past, embrace my present, and see my future." ⎯ Ljuzem Madiljin

24 February, 16h00

› This walk will start at the Cavalo de Pau shop and will continue to our Magina.

Free tickets via text to +351 913 699 891.

Credits

Concept, choreography, music and performance
Ljuzem Madiljin

Outside eye
Baru Madiljin

Sound, lighting design
Ljuzem Madiljin, Baru Madiljin

Nose Flute
Ljaucu Tapurakac

Dramaturgy, production
Gwen Hsin-Yi Chang

Videography
Larissa Lewandoski

Photography
Carolina Lecoq

Technical operation
Alexandre Canhoto (O Espaço do Tempo)

Co-production in residency
O Espaço do Tempo

Special thanks
Cavalo de Pau Decoração, Luísa Serôdio

Ljuzem Madiljin is the Founder and the Artistic Director of Tjimur Dance Theatre. Upon her graduation from the Dance Department at Tainan University of Technology, and completed the master's degree in Department of Cultural and Creative Industries at National Pintung University. She returned to her hometown, Tjimur Village in Pingtung County, where she started her career teaching and dancing more than 15 years ago.

In the summer of 2006, Ljuzem established the Tjimur Dance Theatre, the first modern dance company in Taiwan dedicated to the presentation and promotion of the aesthetics and philosophy of ancient Paiwan culture. From 2009 to 2021, she coordinated 16 performances and led a team to represent Taiwan to perform in Europe and Asia. In 2014, she pioneered the Paiwan contemporary dance teaching system, dedicated to exploring Paiwan’s breathing method of singing and dancing, and then developed Paiwan contemporary physical training, breaking through the dancers’ physical inertia, and continuing to develop their potential and limits.

It has been a motto as well as a lifelong promise for Ljuzem that she must keep learning and paving the way for the indigenous kids to come back to their hometown. This has prompted her to have established the first professional dance company in Pingtung and to have toured in many indigenous villages to share their passion and inspire the wider audience in the south tip of Taiwan.