Fire Passion

[Sam Jossen]

A 10.10.10 video by Dave Lojek

Art of Maori Descent

The art of fire dancing is said to have originated with the Maori tribesmen of New Zealand, who used weighted balls tied to strings—Poi— as weapons. Later the word Poi came to describe not only the ball and string apparatus, but the art form of wielding them in performance storytelling, where every movement has a certain meaning. This art form can be seen in various tourist, island locales, though lighting the balls on fire was only one particular trick.

Watch Fire Passion

For fun and for therapy

Over the years, different people and cultures have influenced the art of fire twirling and added their own unique flare. Many juggle different flaming objects, while others draw from other disciplines, like ribbon dancing, in their routines. Many fire manipulation enthusiasts say their interest quickly grew into addiction, as the physical demands of the art make for great physical exercise, while the flowing beauty of twirling can be very therapeutic.

Variations of fire dancing can now be found across the globe, as we see Milka practicing from Berlin in “Fire Passion,” by Apeiron Films. Watch her as she lulls us into a fiery calm, and try to imagine the story her movements tell.

[Alex Ringer]

Really inspiring. The assembling of fire, light and music is perfect.

[Dave Lojek]

Milka told me in an interview that she developed her fire passion out of a Bulgarian folk dance tradition, where women have hot ash under their feet.

I still don't know which of my pictures ODOE included in the feature lenght documentary, by the way. So the suspense is rising untile the world premiere in April!

[Kenrick Rampial]

Really beautiful...