Stromae-Inspired Contemporary Dance by ZAS Dance Platform

This is… amazing dance.  We keep getting asked for more dance on Kuriositas, so here’s something very special.  Don’t worry if you don’t speak French – an explanation of what is going on in the song is below!  The marvellous ZAS Dance Platform have created something very special for this song, for which no official video exists (but perhaps this should be it!).  One commentator has said that the “acting skills, body control and elegance are just breath taking” – and I have to say I agree. This is an entrancing accompaniment to a song which translated into English means “Bad Day”. So here are some Ukrainian dancers interpreting a French song for a global audience.

Stromae’s “Mauvaise Journée” (that's the French title) describes the frustrations of a day when everything seems to go wrong. The narrator encounters small annoyances everywhere, from rude people to spilled coffee, which pile up and make the day feel overwhelming. Despite the chaos, there’s a humorous and ironic tone, showing that these struggles are relatable and universal. By the end, the song offers a sense of relief and resilience, reminding listeners that bad days pass and tomorrow is a fresh start.

The stunning choreography for this performance was created by Oleksii Bazela, who also performs as a dancer (in the black top) alongside Mykyta Shapoval and Maksym Bondar. This work was presented as part of the ZAS Dance Platform, a creative initiative showcasing innovative contemporary dance from emerging and established choreographers. The platform provides a space for artists to experiment, collaborate, and bring fresh perspectives to the stage, highlighting both technical skill and artistic expression. Through this performance, Bazela and his fellow dancers explore movement and storytelling in a dynamic and engaging way.  The fact that the dancers are also very nice to look at doesn't go amiss either...

Watch the video below.