The dance family of the Mouse School is heading tonight to Belgium for a children’s performance.

Tonight, the dance family of the children’s dance theatre production Mouse School will embark on a special journey to Belgium. During two guest performances, we will join Saint Nicholas in presenting the show for Slovenian and Croatian children living in Brussels and beyond. This event is not only an opportunity for entertainment, but also a chance to strengthen community ties and preserve cultural heritage among children who live far from their homeland. In this article, we want to take a closer look at what this tour means, how preparations for the performance unfold, and the impact it has on the children and their families.

The guest performance of the Mouse School dance family in Belgium is not merely a cultural event, but also a bridge between the homeland and children living abroad. Slovenian and Croatian children in Brussels often lack opportunities to experience traditional celebrations live. The performance with Saint Nicholas allows them to connect with their cultural identity and feel the festive atmosphere they know from home.

This event strengthens the sense of community and belonging, which is especially important for children growing up in a multicultural environment. With the performance, the Mouse School dance family brings joy, laughter, and learning, helping children to develop social skills.

Within the team, we also have a member whose childhood abroad shaped his life, and a dancer who came to Ljubljana from Rijeka and found friendship, trust, and creative passion for dance within our group. From our own experiences, we know what such encounters mean and how important it is ‘to remember.’ Too easily, the homeland sometimes forgets or even condemns expatriates or compatriots who have left for good, making it even harder for them to nurture their national identity in a different environment. Building connections, communication, and maintaining ties through art is the most genuine, simple, and profound way

Preparations for the tour lasted several weeks. The dancers diligently rehearsed the choreographies and discussed possible adjustments required by the performance space and the collaboration with Saint Nicholas, who will be the central figure of the evening.

Organizing the journey demanded extensive planning. Beyond securing funding for the trip, most of the work focused on preparing materials (set, costumes, technical equipment), logistics of transport, parking, and accommodation, as well as communication and coordination with the venues. We extend heartfelt thanks to Lea Iskra, head of the Slovenian Society in Belgium, and Iris Ljubičić from the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Belgium, for the friendly atmosphere and their assistance in organizing the events and promoting the performance. We also wish to once again thank our two sponsors, Ms. Irena Joveva and Mr. Marjan Šarec, without whom this tour would not have been possible. We look forward to meeting them in person to express our gratitude for their support and financial help.

The Mouse School performance is not only entertainment but also an educational experience. Through dance and storytelling, children learn values such as friendship, helping others, and mutual respect.

In addition, the performance encourages learning of the Slovenian and Croatian languages and cultures in a playful way. This helps children connect more easily with their heritage and maintain language skills, which is crucial for preserving identity in the diaspora. Katja Vidmar gave the mice their ‘Slovenian voice,’ while Iva Šantek provided the ‘Croatian voice.’

The guest performance of the Mouse School dance family in Belgium has a positive impact on children and their families. Children feel seen and valued, which strengthens their confidence and sense of belonging to the community. Parents, meanwhile, gain the opportunity to connect with other families and maintain ties with their home culture.

The event also fosters intercultural dialogue, as Slovenian and Croatian children meet with the local Belgian community. This helps build bridges of understanding and respect between different cultures.

If you would like to support us and our cultural events such as the Mouse School performance, there are several ways to do so:

• Participation: Do you know how to dance, act a little, and most importantly, have time? Join us in our dance productions, which find their stage both at home and abroad.

• Donations and volunteering: Help with the organization of events or contribute financially. At KDC we are volunteers, and every form of support is deeply appreciated.

• Sharing information: Spread the word about such events among your friends and acquaintances.

• Encouraging children to participate: Invite children to attend performances and other cultural activities.

Such support helps preserve cultural heritage and creates opportunities for new generations.

The Mouse School tour in Belgium is just a continuation of our work abroad, as we have already performed in Austria, Belgium, Italy, and Croatia. In the future, you can expect more similar performances and workshops that will allow children to connect even more deeply with their culture.

Wish us a safe journey, and we promise to do our best to proudly carry this small piece of the mosaic of extraordinary Slovenian dance artistry out into the world.