“Why do we dance at all?”: Liong Xi, performer and choreographer (interview)

This interview with Liong Xi traces his life in dance drama, from early training in Bandung with Balinese masters during the Japanese occupation, to decades of performance and teaching across Europe and New Zealand. Xi reflects on the integration of movement, gesture language, and music, as well as the challenges and successes of introducing Balinese dance drama into schools and communities abroad. His story illustrates how traditional forms adapt to new contexts while maintaining their expressive and educational power.