On Monday 3 February at 6.30pm, the Prince Pierre of Monaco Foundation invites the public to a meeting with choreographer and dancer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui at the Théâtre des Variétés. The interview will be conducted by journalist Rosita Boisseau and promises to plunge you into the artistic world of a creator who is constantly exploring…
Born of a Moroccan father and a Flemish mother, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui has developed a unique approach to dance, nourished by cultural diversity and the quest for identity. His work questions the intersections between physical and geographical spaces and the way they shape art and culture.
With his work Vlaemsch (at home), Cherkaoui explores his Flemish roots. He stages a troupe of international dancers and immerses them in the Flemish culture that the artist knows so well. The aim? To make the difference between cultural sharing and cultural appropriation. Through this work, the artist does not wish to impose his vision of Flemish traditions, but questions what he calls ‘cultural contamination’, seeking to build bridges between identities.
Monaco, the perfect illustration of ‘cultural contamination’?
Monaco, though small in size, perfectly embodies the idea of cultural contamination so dear to Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. With over 140 nationalities represented within its borders, the Principality is a veritable crossroads of influences, where identities meet, enrich and coexist. Like the choreographer’s questioning of the dialogue between cultures, Monaco builds its influence on a subtle balance between tradition and openness, between local roots and influences from all over the world. In the arts, gastronomy, the economy and even everyday life, the Principality illustrates how well-orchestrated cultural diversity can become a strength, a driving force for innovation and harmony.
@Filip Van Roe