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| Mons International Festival of Dance | |
|---|---|
| Name | Mons International Festival of Dance |
| Location | Mons, Hainaut, Wallonia, Belgium |
| Founded | 1980s |
| Years active | annual |
| Genre | Dance, contemporary dance, ballet, folk dance |
Mons International Festival of Dance Mons International Festival of Dance is an annual dance festival held in Mons, Hainaut, Wallonia that presents contemporary dance, ballet, modern dance, and cross-disciplinary performances. The festival attracts companies, choreographers, and institutions from across Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa, linking local cultural institutions such as Bozar, Théâtre Royal de Mons, and Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique with international partners including Sadler's Wells, Paris Opera Ballet, and Comédie-Française. Over decades it has engaged cultural policymakers like European Commission, funding bodies such as Flemish Community arts programmes, and networks including Circus Arts Network and European Dancehouse Network.
The festival traces roots to cultural revival movements in Belgium during the 1980s and 1990s, influenced by touring seasons from Pina Bausch, Maurice Béjart, Rudolf Nureyev, Martha Graham legacies and regional initiatives linked to Mons 2015 European Capital of Culture. Early editions featured collaborations with institutions like Flanders Arts Institute, Wallonie-Bruxelles International, Centre national de la danse, and visiting ensembles from Netherlands, France, United Kingdom, Germany and Spain. Expansion through the 2000s saw partnerships with Biennale de danse de Lyon, Festival d'Avignon, Venice Biennale, and funding from Creative Europe projects and philanthropic organisations such as Fondation Roi Baudouin.
The festival is organized by a municipal cultural office in collaboration with regional bodies including Province of Hainaut, Walloon Government, and private partners like Kinepolis Group and local patrons connected to Université de Mons. Artistic governance involves a programming director, advisory board, and curatorial committees drawing expertise from institutions such as Palais Garnier, Royal Opera House, Het Nieuwe Instituut, and networks like IDEA (International Dance Education Association). Operational units cover production, technical crews, marketing, and international relations liaising with agencies such as British Council, Institut français, Goethe-Institut, and touring managers from Agent(s) across Europe.
Programming balances repertory classics with experimental works, inviting companies such as Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Batsheva Dance Company, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, Russell Maliphant Company, and choreographers like William Forsythe, Crystal Pite, Akram Khan, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Angelin Preljocaj. The festival curates thematic strands, residencies, and commissions linked to institutions like Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp, Sibelius Academy, and research centres such as Centre National de la Danse and Brooklyn Academy of Music. Collaborations often feature interdisciplinary projects with La Monnaie, Belgian National Orchestra, Le Cercle des danseurs, and visual artists from Musée du Louvre-linked exhibitions.
Primary venues include Théâtre Royal de Mons, Bombardier Hall, Salle Saint-Georges, and site-specific locations across Mons such as Grand-Place, Collégiale Sainte-Waudru, and industrial heritage sites associated with Borinage. The festival also programs in partnership with regional venues like Palais des Beaux-Arts Charleroi, La Balsamine, and touring spaces connected to Cité internationale de la danse and Maison de la Culture. Accessibility initiatives coordinate with transport authorities including SNCB/NMBS and urban planners from City of Mons.
Notable appearances have included premieres and revivals by companies and artists such as Pina Bausch Tanztheater Wuppertal, Martha Graham Dance Company, Ballet National de Marseille, Scapino Ballet, Royal Ballet, choreographers Merce Cunningham, José Limón, Ohad Naharin and contemporary creators like Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, Sharon Eyal, Pina Bausch-influenced collectives, plus guest performances by musicians and composers linked to Max Richter, Philip Glass, Steve Reich, and conductors associated with La Monnaie. Cross-disciplinary collaborations have engaged theatre directors such as Olivier Py, film-makers from Cannes Film Festival circuits, and visual artists represented by Centre Pompidou.
The festival has received regional honours from Mons 2015 European Capital of Culture initiatives, cultural awards from Walloon Parliament patrons, and recognition in European cultural circuits including nominations from Prix Europe and grants from Creative Europe. Individual artists presented at the festival have earned awards such as the Laurence Olivier Award, Benois de la Danse, Golden Mask, and national decorations like Order of the Crown (Belgium). Institutional partnerships have been cited in reports by European Commission cultural programmes and by networks including European Festivals Association.
Outreach includes workshops with local schools, masterclasses with conservatories like Royal Conservatory of Brussels, educational programmes in partnership with Université de Mons, participatory projects with community groups in Borinage, and internships coordinated with regional cultural poles. The festival runs training schemes with bodies such as Dancers’ Career Development initiatives, residencies with Flanders Arts Institute and exchange programmes supported by Erasmus+ and Creative Europe to foster links between emerging choreographers, vocational schools, and international presenters.
Category:Festivals in Belgium Category:Dance festivals