Canberra’s QL2 Dance has been invited by the Australian embassy in Bangkok to perform as part of a large-scale event to celebrate the birthday of Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua.

Two First Nations dancers Julia Villaflor and Jahna Lugnan, will travel to Bangkok this week with Alice Lee Holland, who will succeed Ruth Osborne as artistic director of QL2 Dance in September.

The July 27-28 performances will include a duet created by the pair, Connected, which explores their connection to the land, to each other and themselves.

“Being able to share our voice through an art form that we have such a deep understanding and love for, is a magical thing,” Lugnan says, while Villaflor adds: “Growing up in Canberra, away from country, I have always felt disconnected, but through dance and sharing I have gradually felt a stronger connection to my culture.”

While in Thailand, QL2  will work  with young dancers from the Bangkok School of Dance to remount Shared Language, a 2023 collaboration featuring dancers from each company.