Bring joy to displaced kids

The power of dance in dark times.

Hi, I'm Yaniv Cohen. For 20 years, Norway has been both my stage and my home. Yet, when terror struck Israel, my homeland's heartache called me back. Now, as I stand amid the chaos, I see families uprooted, children lost, and a nation in pain. It's a paralyzing fear, a collective trauma that weighs even more heavily on young hearts.

Why dance?

Dance heals. "FLEKKER" (or "Ktamim" in Hebrew), was born in Norway during the pandemic and has spread joy to over 350 kindergartens across 10 cities in Norway, including one tour to Israel to perform to shared Jewish-Muslim kindergartens in Jaffa. We aim to extend that joy now in Israel, in a land yearning for hope.

Here's our vision: Together with a compassionate team of Israeli dancers and with insights from children's mental health experts, we've reshaped "FLEKKER" to soothe the scars of trauma. We're ready to bring this beacon of hope to children across Israel, especially those torn from the embrace of their homes.

But we need you - Travel, accommodations, and nourishing our volunteer dancers— these essentials come with costs. While our spirit is willing, and we all volunteer, our pockets aren't deep enough. We need your generosity to light up these young lives. It seems like kids will not return to their homes for a while.

Your role?

A donation, any amount, will directly fuel our mission: reaching every displaced child, offering a moment of joy, a dance of hope amidst despair. By supporting us, you're telling these children they're not alone.

The dancers started rehearsing in Israel.

Stay updated on the @flekk_dance Instagram account.

First Flekker in Israel in Mitzpe Ramon

Mizpe Ramon is situated in the Negev desert, offering views of the world's largest erosion cirque, the Makhtesh Ramon.

Typically, this city has a population of about 5,000 residents. However, an additional 3,000 individuals have sought refuge here due to the conflict. They come from diverse backgrounds and circumstances: some have lost loved ones, some endure daily missile attacks due to their proximity to Gaza, and others are newcomers from Ethiopia seeking a fresh start in Israel. These Ethiopian newcomers didn't have adequate shelter in their initial reception centers, prompting their relocation to this southern city. It was our wildest (happy) performance with Flekker/Ktamim.

Flekker in Norway

Who am I?

Y to C - Yaniv Cohen's webpage

I'm Yaniv Cohen, born in 1977, and I'm a dancer, choreographer, and associate professor for contemporary dance based in Oslo. In June 2023, I completed my MA in Choreography from the Art Academy in Oslo, adding to my diverse choreographic journey that began in 2009. My work revolves around our intrinsic human need to communicate, exploring how we see ourselves and how we present ourselves to the world. I delve into the balance between personal responsibility and societal influences through choreography.

I started my dance career relatively late, at the age of 22. Since then, I've collaborated as a freelance dancer with choreographers like Javiar De Frotus, Yasmeen Godder, Ohad Naharin, Alexander Ekman, and more. I've been privileged to be a part of dance companies such as the Icelandic Dance Company, Carte Blanche, and the Norwegian National Ballet. Throughout my career, I've choreographed and showcased my works in multiple countries, from Norway and Israel to Germany, the Czech Republic, and Hungary, spanning various mediums, from immersive performances to multimedia shows.

But dance isn't my only passion. I also worked as a photographer and cinematographer, presenting my works at galleries and festivals. I have created art movies, documentaries, and promotional videos. Since 2014, I've been sharing my knowledge of contemporary dance at the Art Academy in Oslo, currently serving as an associate professor for contemporary dance.

Among my recent creations are 'Deeply Rooted,' which debuted at Dansens Hus Oslo in 2021, and 'Flekker,' a piece born during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. My present and upcoming works delve into the intricate themes of ADHD, hypersensitivity, and performativity, reflecting on my MA performance project and my future dance works.

We send our love to everyone affected by this conflict and hope for your safety and well-being.

Thank you!!!