NOV. 27 TO DEC. 12
The Festival de Danse Cannes – Côte d’Azur France continues to bring the Côte d’Azur’s cultural fabric together, with the support of local organizations. Each and every one of them is committed to taking part in this event, which is designed to promote mutual understanding and fruitful exchanges. Present in 2021: Anthéa (Antibes), Forum Jacques Prévert (Carros), Scène 55 (Mougins), Théâtre de Grasse, Théâtres en Dracénie (Draguignan), Théâtre La Licorne (Cannes), Théâtre National de Nice and a newcomer to the adventure, Théâtre intercommunal Le Forum (Fréjus).
This fourth and final edition, which I have been entrusted with, is under the sign of the fourth element, earth. The resilient, powerful and volcanic woman featured on the festival poster is a testament to this. In many ways, this dancer from the Martha Graham Dance Company sums up our editorial line, which devotes a special place to women, and in particular to those pioneering women who made a major contribution to the invention of modern and contemporary dance by establishing the roots of their gestures.
However, the festival also aims to bring together different aspects of dance in an overview that embraces its history, from the advent of Romantic ballet with La Sylphide, to the emergence of young choreographers, via key figures in the world of dance, with a marked focus on the creative dynamism of regional companies.
These crossroads bring together the precursors of yesterday and those of today, with remarkable dancer-choreographers and creations by artists who reflect on the state and concerns of today’s world.
Works for young people are also on offer, with a touring show that takes place in local secondary schools, providing a unique opportunity for students and choreographers to meet.
The partnership forged between the festival and the Pôle National Supérieur de Danse, directed by Paola Cantalupo, is a must for this 2021 edition. It corresponds to the 60th anniversary of the Ecole Supérieure de Danse Rosella Hightower and is an opportunity to pay tribute, through the presence of the Cannes Jeune Ballet, to this personality of the dance world who has worked so hard to transmit the art of choreography to Cannes.
In addition to the program of performances, we also offer exhibitions, film screenings, meetings, conferences, symposia and seminars, all of which are open to all, enabling us to discover and deepen our knowledge of dance, and to envisage new approaches to it. I share the fundamental importance of promoting access to culture for as many people as possible, through numerous awareness-raising initiatives and practical workshops for all audiences, master classes given by great dancers and choreographers…
Many thanks to the Mairie de Cannes, who initiated the festival in 1985, to our partners, the Ministère de la Culture, the Région Sud Provence Alpes-Côte d’Azur and the Département des Alpes-Maritimes, and to the directors of our partner structures, without whom the current development of the event would not have been possible.
I would also like to thank Jean-Michel Arnaud, President of the Palais des Festivals, in charge of Culture, Didier Boidin, General Manager of the Palais des Festivals and their teams, in particular the Direction de l’Evénementiel Culturel and more specifically Sophie Dupont and Eurielle Desèvedavy, who have supported and accompanied me since my first edition, as well as the actions led by Maud Boissac, Director of Culture, who are working to anchor the event in the region.
But I’d also like to extend a special thanks to David Lisnard, Mayor of Cannes, for his confidence in me and his tireless investment in dance and culture, so that they can be offered to as many people as possible.
Brigitte Lefèvre,
Artistic Director
