A Co Tyrone multicultural dance group is getting ready for a new term of bringing together kids and teenagers from all over the world.
Sutemos and Suteminis is a dance group in Dungannon which provides classes to young people from several different countries.
Dancers at the group, which is based at the Dungannon Youth Resource Centre, come from Portugal, East Timor, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary and France.
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The group’s leader, Dungannon woman Sheena Kelly, says the diversity of the town was the reason why she wanted to set up the project
After being in England for a few years, I loved coming back to Dungannon and seeing how much it had changed,” Sheena says.
“The buzz around the town and how diverse it had become was exciting and one of the reasons why I decided to start an intercultural dance project.
“We always have different projects and performances to work towards whether that is a film project collaborating with other art organisations, a performance at a Youth Dance Festival in Belfast or Dublin or creating local events to connect with the community. It means you never get bored.”
Some of those attending the dance classes, which see the group travelling to perform at shows in Belfast and Dublin, say it’s a great way for them to meet new people.
"The reasons I go to dance is because it is a great opportunity to meet new people , create dance pieces and learn more about contemporary music, which intrigues me to continue going to dance,” Karmen, 17, says.
"I have been part of Sutemos for 7 years,” 17-year-old Bianca says.
“The reasons that I keep going to dance class is so I can make new friends and explore different dance projects. Being part of this dance group helps me to express how I feel through a dance performance.”
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