Curtain Falls on La Route de la soie
The performances of La Route de la soie came to a close on Sunday, June 14, at the Théâtre de Beaulieu in Lausanne, following five evenings that brought together large audiences around this emblematic work by Maurice Béjart.
Presented for the first time in twenty-five years, this vast choreographic fresco returned to the Lausanne stage in a series of performances warmly received by the public. From Venice to the far reaches of China, through Turkey, Iran, India and Mongolia, La Route de la soie took audiences on a journey through the cultures, traditions and imaginaries that shaped this legendary route.
Guided by the Traveller, powerfully portrayed by Antoine Le Moal, audiences discovered a succession of richly coloured and highly symbolic scenes populated by poets, spiritual figures, shamans and mythical characters. Serving as the work’s unifying thread, Silk, alternately performed by Mari Ohashi and Min Kyung Lee, accompanied this journey with grace and delicacy, linking each stage of the voyage in a continuous flow.
The strength of the ensemble scenes, the subtlety of the performances, the richness of the costumes and the evocative power of the staging all contributed to the full impact of this choreographic odyssey, conceived as a meeting point between peoples and civilizations. The musical score, weaving together traditions and eras, further enriched the experience, from the Venetian accents of Antonio Vivaldi to the Anatolian sounds brought to life by Kudsi Erguner, and onward to the profound resonances of the East and Asia.
This revival also marks a step towards the anniversary celebrations that will begin in December 2026. From December 18 to 23 at the Théâtre de Beaulieu, Béjart Ballet Lausanne will launch two exceptional anniversary seasons celebrating the centenary of Maurice Béjart’s birth and the 40th anniversary of the company.
To inaugurate these celebrations, the company will present an exceptional programme inspired by the world of Mozart, bringing together Lux Æterna, a new creation by Étienne Béchard, and Maurice Béjart’s Mozart Tangos. With the exceptional participation of the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne and the Ensemble Vocal de Lausanne, these performances promise a rare artistic experience in which the power of live music meets the excellence of dance.
All information available here.
The journey continues.
