Le Sacre De Lila

A production by Destins Croisés. Choreography by Ismaël Mouaraki.
Ismaël Mouaraki explores trance with a group of male dancers in his new creation, drawing inspiration from Lila ceremonies, mystical and musical traditional celebrations from his native Morocco. Through them, he also retraces his own journey in front of the audience.
In Arabic, “lila” means “night.” These ceremonies are a set of nocturnal healing rituals that blend singing, dancing, and music, traditionally found in some North African countries. Ismaël transposes the rites and codes of these dance rituals onto the stage, while infusing his signature contemporary urban dance style to reveal the sensitivity and sensuality of the male body. Tinted with the tastes and colours of Morocco, the artists transform the performance into a true celebration where the exaltation of bodies unfolds through contagious energy.
Le sacre de Lila is a very personal project that Franco-Moroccan-Canadian choreographer Ismaël Mouaraki has envisioned for many years. The idea was born from his childhood memories in the Maghreb, thus revealing his deep connection to Morocco and the Arab world, intertwined with evocations of France where he was born and Quebec where he grew up. Three territories, rooted and embedded in his body.
In 2023, Le sacre de Lila received the award for the best choreographic work at Prix de la Danse de Montréal, given by the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec. This highly symbolic work marks the 25 years of Ismaël Mouaraki’s immigration and the 20 years of his company Destins Croisés.