26 July 2021

End of the 2020-2021 season

End of the 2020-2021 season | THANK YOU!

The second half of the 2019-2020 season was hit by COVID-19, and the following season began in the fall with a lot of excitement: the premiere of Basso Continuum at the Opéra de Lausanne, the latest creation of Gil Roman (music by Richard Dubugnon). However, the effects of the epidemic quickly put an end to any hopes of a return to normality, forcing us to interrupt our performance schedule.

We refused to give up and our desire to dance and to share never left us. This led to the development of new projects. The BBL launched its Plan_B at the initiative of Gil Roman: a space dedicated to meetings and exchanges about the company’s current work. We had the pleasure to meet our local public in the heart of our main studio, equipped with a seating area, and all the necessary equipment to present extracts or ballets in performance conditions. We did not forget our loyal international friends. This is how bejart.tv was born, a VOD platform that allows you to watch excerpts of Maurice Béjart and Gil Roman’s works, documentaries and archives.

The epidemic is progressively subsiding and our season can end on a beautiful note! First, in Fribourg, where we were selected to be one of the first Swiss cultural institutions to participate in a pilot project led by the covid-19 delegation of the Fribourg State Council in preparation for the opening of major events. On June 26, the BBL performed at the Théâtre Equilibre for a unique representation of Ballet for life. The audience, filled with enthusiasm and emotion, gave a triumphant welcome to Gil Roman’s company.

BBL then went to Como to inaugurate the Festival Como Città della Musica. A series of short pieces from Maurice Béjart’s repertoire were performed. Finally, on July 10, the company travelled by train to the South of France to begin its summer tour: four exceptional performances of Ballet for life, between Carcassonne, Peralada (Spain) and Orange.

This season was filled with emotions… we never lost our way during these challenging times because of your unfailing support. So we would simply like to say THANK YOU!

We look forward to a 2021-2022 season full of surprises. We hope there will be more dancing, more travelling and more of you, dear public!

The BBL would also like to thank its patrons, partners and sponsors for their precious support during these exceptional times.