Iva Balabanova | Artists in Residence | Kamov Residency

Iva Balabanova

Ivana Balabanova is a North Macedonian dancer, choreographer, and interdisciplinary artist who interweaves the languages of urban and contemporary dance in her work. She was awarded the Excellence Scholarship at Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) for her MA in Choreography.

As an artist, she boldly explores creative possibilities with her team, space, and disciplines, always crafting strong visual impressions that invite a contemporary and experimental approach.

Throughout her life, she has been active in human rights advocacy, access to dance education, and the promotion of fair artistic practices and recognition of urban and contemporary dance in North Macedonia. In 2021, she received the USAID Youth Civic Engagement Award for her outstanding community impact. In 2019, she represented her country as a Youth Ambassador at the Council of Europe, following her collaboration with UNICEF on children's rights and domestic violence. She currently lives and builds her artistic career in Switzerland.

YUGO

18.-31.01.2026.

Ivana Balabanova will be working in Rijeka on her project with the working title YUGO, the concept of which was presented in Rijeka in May 2025 as part of the first Moving Balkans Showcase.

YUGO by Ivana Balabanova is a contemporary performance piece for three performers and one sound artist. YUGO is our anthem — a multi-layered exploration of hidden, socially ignored female rage: the anger of women expected to remain quiet, delicate, soft, and silent, even in the face of injustice, oppression, and violence. We see an urgency in creating a space where a female-socialized body — traditionally silenced and controlled — becomes a symbol of liberation, resilience, and transformation.

Yugo focuses on the intersection of gender-based violence, migration, and patriarchal oppression.

Croatian Cultural Centre in Sušak

Croatian Cultural Centre in Sušak (HKD)

HKD is a public cultural institution that hosts numerous cultural, educational and entertainment programs throughout the year with dance, drama, music, film and multimedia activities, as well as visual arts in the Kortil Gallery. Kortil has been operating as an exhibition space since 1997, with exhibition program open to contemporary domestic and foreign artists, applied art, for exhibitions of artists who marked the art of the 20th century, but at the same time for young authors who are just entering the art scene.  

HKD hosts educational programs with dance, drama and music workshops and training for children and young people. It also implements community programs such as Kortil live and has its own volunteering program.

HKD is a member of the European dance networks Aerowaves and Pan-Adria and the music/organizational network MOST Music.