“Touching, emotional, powerful, admirable, beyond words …” after the premiere of the performance Decide.

Katja Dance Company
9 hours ago
3 min read

Ljubljana, Španski borci, 22nd May 2026

“Touching, emotional, powerful, admirable, beyond words …” – these are the words echoing in my mind as I read and listen to the impressions of the audience who attended the premiere of our dance performance Odloči se on Friday, 22 May 2026, at Španski borci.

Perhaps even we, the creators of the performance, are not fully aware of how big a project this truly was for everyone involved, and how last Friday everything on stage – all our effort, all the training, all the conversations – merged into a beautiful performance we can be genuinely proud of. Without the warm‑hearted people at the Španski borci Cultural Centre (Hotimir, Maja, Katja, Omar), this would not have been possible. They are an incredible team who enable us to make full use of the venue’s potential and present the performance at a high professional level – thank you!

We admit that the performance touched us to the very core. We shed quite a few tears as well — tears of emotion, happiness, and pride that we, too, had the honour of contributing a small piece to this immense mosaic. I look to the future with optimism, hoping that this performance will help society see transplantation through completely different eyes. It is no longer merely an individual’s duty, but a mission of humanity. Wishing you a lovely evening and many more performances to come. Andrej and Špela

A heartfelt thank‑you to the Slovenian Transplant Institute (Slovenija‑transplant) for all the professional support and guidance, and to Polona Franko and Nina Žitek – our two new friends, with whom we have become a three‑leaf clover.

It was not easy, especially for the dancers, who dedicated additional hours to our rehearsals on top of their own training, obligations, competitions, studies, and work. At times it was difficult to coordinate everything, which is why our deepest respect and gratitude go to all the dancers – for their commitment, their perseverance, and for helping us bring to life a story that touched the audience and everyone present.

Congratulations on a truly exceptional project, in which you wove a difficult and important topic into a cohesive whole of reality, lived experience, and art. dr. Mateja Marc Malovrh

A full auditorium is a true reward for any creator, and when the audience honours you with several minutes of standing applause at the end, it is indescribably beautiful.

I keep reliving the words that appeared on the screen and in the projection, and I know we can proudly say that we achieved our purpose: to awaken in people the thought of registering as organ donors when our journey comes to an end. And when I received messages after the performance from audience members who had decided to register, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude.

The performance is fantastic – dynamic, profound, at times unflinchingly honest, yet infused with just the right amount of wit and warmth. It holds you in suspense from the first to the very last minute and compels you to reflect on your own life choices. Mojca K.

Executive producer and tech lead Albert Podrekar & author, choreographer and dancer Katja Vidmar

The responses keep pouring in from all sides, and we are grateful for every single one of them.

For me, having the opportunity to choreograph with such exceptional dancers is a great honour, and I cherished every moment of the process. Watching them during the dress rehearsal, after it, and on stage, I realised that we were breathing this performance together. Their expression, dedication, and energy captured in the photographs are proof that dance is their passion, their life, their space — a place where they float and enchant with every movement.

Of course, we hope to bring the performance to stages across Slovenia and, if possible, beyond our borders. We will be delighted with every invitation, as our wish is to spread the message and reach as many young and older audiences as possible — to break doubts and fears surrounding this topic and to connect into a circle where our actions gain meaning.

The performance was created in co‑production of Katja Dance Company & DanceArt.si and in collaboration with the Slovenian Transplant Institute (Slovenija‑transplant).

Performers:

Ajda Šterbenc, Ana Mužič, Eva Bebar, Eva Bitežnik, Hana Štraus, Maša Štefanič, Sara Brčvak, Sofija Safronova, Tia Uršič Popovski, Zarja Kopriva, Katja Vidmar

Music selection:

Katja Vidmar, Albert Podrekar

Choreographer, script, set design, costume design and direction:

Katja Vidmar

Co‑choreographer:

Mitja Popovski

Video projection, editing, sound, photography, lighting design and production:

Albert Podrekar

Camera and editing assistance:

Luka Bruketa

Photography for the project “WE ARE STILL HERE”:

Ela Zdešar