What exactly is the charm? , Breakdancing is a new event in the Paris Olympics
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, and is also the year of the Paris Olympic Games. Just this year, breakdancing will become an official event of the Paris Olympics, and the Paris Olympics breakdancing qualifying competition in Shanghai has also concluded. On this occasion, the Shanghai International Dance Center Theater has specially planned and launched the "French Breakdance Season" as one of the 2024 "Sino-French Cultural Spring - Special Presentation of the 60th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and France" series of cultural and artistic activities.
From May 24th to June 10th, the Shanghai International Dance Center Theater will stage three French break dance and modern dance fusion works with different styles, and launch a number of break dance workshops, lectures, free open days and other activities, using the hot Break dancing ignites the early summer in Shanghai, cheers for the friendship between China and France, and warms up for the Olympic Games.
From May 24th to 25th, "The Last Stand" was performed at the Shanghai International Dance Center Theater. Photo by Hu Yifan
France has a profound hip-hop culture. It not only has top hip-hop dancers, but is also the birthplace and host of many hip-hop competitions. As one of the representatives of street dance, break dance also has a deep mass base in France, and has given birth to many unique contemporary break dance works.
Breakdancing is breaking through from its original street culture and integrating with modern dance and other art forms, creating many excellent stage performances and entering the public eye. The three works performed in the "French Breakdance Season" are all products of the integration of breakdancing and other performance forms, presenting a more diverse style.
"The Last Stand" performed on May 24th and 25th was performed by European breakdancing champion Julian Sonmaximo and dancer Zhang Yan of Xie Xin Dance Theater. The work uses the "wall" as a metaphor to explore the relationship between people and the world.
Dancer Julian Sands Photo by Simon Hu Yifan
"The wall is the boundary of reality and the barrier between the spiritual world." Julian Sonmaximón said, "This work will trigger people to think about how to break through bottlenecks, cross obstacles, and go to a wider world." Speaking of Perak Regarding the development of dance in China, Sanmaximo said: "There are many street dance variety shows in China, and many young people have shown their extraordinary talents early on."
Breakdancing becoming an Olympic event will also boost the popularity and development of this dance. "The Last Stand" choreographer Kami Regno said that break dancing is not only competitive, but also highly artistic. The fusion of break dancing and modern dance has given this dance a new expansion. "When break dancing moves from the streets to theaters, it shows greater appeal and creativity."
After "The Last Stand", "The Way Out" will be performed from May 31st to June 1st. This is a break dance work that combines circus, mime and modern dance and other art forms. It is like a dance version of "Waiting for God". many". On the stage, the three dancers sometimes show off their skills and sometimes remain silent. You can see not only the classic technical movements of break dance, but also the mime clips that pay tribute to the master Chaplin, as well as the artistic expression of modern dance.
"We Are Monchichi", which will be presented to the audience on June 9th and 10th, is like a light and romantic French pas de deux. The work is performed by a male dancer from Naples, Italy and a female dancer from Taiwan, China, using dance and multiple languages to show the process of mutual understanding between two people who grew up in different cultural backgrounds.
During this "French Breakdance Season", in addition to performing three breakdance and modern dance fusion works, the National Dance Theater will also gather major well-known street dance labels in Shanghai to carry out workshops, lectures and free openings throughout the city and a series of special events.
From May 21st to June 9th, the National Dance Theater will hold BreakingCity break dance city pop-up activities, entering many business districts in Shanghai such as Xintiandi, Xijiao Bailian, and Daning Jiuguang. On June 1st, the "Here is National Dance" theater free opening day will also be themed "French Breakdance Season", gathering well-known street dance labels in Shanghai such as Caster, StudioX, DaRocc, Oneway, AddDanceStudio, etc. , bringing various activities such as hip-hop market, hip-hop experience workshops, StreetFunkTalk, hip-hop documentary screenings, graffiti cultural area, Cypher, Showcase, Afterparty and other activities.
Chen Li, deputy general manager and project director of the Shanghai International Dance Center Theater, said: "The National Dance Theater has always been doing performances that combine hip-hop and modern dance. Compared with other dance types, hip-hop was born on the streets and is a more civilian dance form. "
