In 2025–2026, within the frame of Woon.Zorg.Kunst, Anneleen was artist-in-residence at De Weister, a care home in Aalbeke, West Flanders. There, she developed a Hand Dance practice together with people living with dementia.
Presence lies at the heart of this work: taking time to get to know each resident, sharing conversations, wandering together, getting lost, or simply being silent. Touch forms its second pillar. In the meeting of two hands, a dance can emerge—even when no one appears to be moving.
Anneleen approached the residents as her teachers, each of them revealing a different pathway into dance. By following their lead, she learned a great deal about what dancing can be.
Her trajectory in De Weister resulted in a collection of visual and textual works. 18 poems about dances shared with residents, as well as images of these dances, are printed on large pieces of fabric. HANDleiding voor een HANDdans (Manual for a Hand Dance) is a poster offering a poetic invitation to initiate a dance. In addition, filmmaker Preben Verledens created a video document of the project.
In September 2026, these works were presented at the Woon.Zorg.Kunst Festival at BUDA (Kortrijk), a festival dedicated to making visible the reciprocal relationship between care and culture.
If you wish to receive the poster HANDleiding voor een HANDdans by post, please send an email to: contact@anneleenkeppens.be
PRESS QUOTE
“‘How do you do that?’ the staff at De Weister residential care home asked Anneleen Keppens. A dancer and choreographer, she had managed to get residents living with dementia moving again. By doing something seemingly simple: taking their hands in hers.” Veerle Beel for De Standaard
Credits
Concept, Dance and Text Anneleen Keppens
Copy Editing Charlotte Baert
Graphic Design Julia Ceniviva
Video and pictures Preben Verledens
Mentor Ann Weckx / de Ambulanten
Commissioned by DURF 2030, BUDA and MUS-E
Special thanks to the staff and residents of WZC De Weister