At heart, Springback Assembly is a multidimensional encounter – with a place, with a dance scene, with our hosts and guests, and with other Springbackers.

Conceived as a counterbalance to the intensive Springback Academy review-writing programme, the Assembly has developed into a thinktank where writers of different Springback generations engage with a local dance scene, debate diverging outlooks, and grapple with wider issues surrounding the watching and making of movement today.

Hosts and guests were indeed the central theme of Springback Assembly 2025, which closely accompanied the new Forum at the Lyon Dance Biennale, an initiative that makes space for dialogues beyond European borders. For this first edition, the Forum invited five curators and artistic groups from different regions: Angela Conquet & Marrugeku (Australia), Nayse Lopez & Original Bomber Crew (Brazil), Quito Tembe & Idio Chichava (Mozambique), River Lin & Fangas Nayaw (Taiwan), Angela Mattox & devynn emory (USA).

Through this encounter, many of the Assembly activities led to written outcomes and reflections, which are published here. With a wide range of voices and styles – lyrical, reflective, analytical, journalistic, critical, personal and even fictional – they come together as a collage of views, thoughts and experiences from this special confluence.

Sanjoy Roy
Editor