The creator Nora Chipaumire dazzled the jury of the Prix de la danse de Montréal, who awarded her the Grand Prix for this year 2023, notably for her work Nehanda, a transdisciplinary river opera presented during the last edition of the FTA.
Born in 1965 in Zimbabwe, Nora Chipaumire is based in New York, where she dedicates herself to “live art”, an artistic approach which takes its source from the living world itself, and where the body seeks to develop and express what the tongues and words cannot speak. His works touch on politics and notably evoke colonial issues. She also stood out with her political manifesto and concert in three parts
The jury praised its unique approach which explores themes linked to colonial history and resilience, as well as the moving work that is Nehanda, “an experience of love and an act of justice, in an open and de-Westernizing”. The award comes with a $25,000 scholarship.
This year, a brand new award is appearing: Made in Quebec aims to highlight the work of an individual, organization or collective from Quebec City and Wendake. It is the talented performer Fabien Piché, seen in particular in creations by Karine Ledoyen, Alan Lake, Paul-André Fortier and Parts Labour_danse who is the first recipient.
The choreographer Ismaël Mouaraki receives the prize for Best choreographic work of the year for Le sacre de Lila, premiered at the Agora de la danse in 2023, which “delicately stages intimacy and masculine vulnerability”, in a fruitful encounter between his native Morocco and his adopted land, Quebec.
The Performer prize was awarded to Mecdy Jean Pierre – Mystic Rootz is his stage name – for his solo Transelucide, presented at Tangente, a convincing combination of his mastery of popping and his Afro-descendant roots, and also for his involvement in the street dance community.
Well known in the dance community, where he has been operating for 50 years, notably as artistic and general director of Danse Danse which is in its 26th season, Pierre Des Marais received the Cultural Manager award for his vision and leadership.
Among the other winners, note the choreographer, performer and event producer Nicolas Zemmour (Prix Étincelle, for his promotion of dance in Estrie), the choreographer, performer and teacher of Bharata Natyam Deepa Nallapan (Prix Envol, for cultural diversity and inclusive practices in dance) and the artist Ivanie Aubin-Malo (Revelation Prize).