Artdanthé

Artdanthé: Dance as a Living Language

Artdanthé was born from the conviction that contemporary dance is a universal language, capable of crossing geographical, cultural, and stylistic borders to reach the most diverse audiences. Since its creation at the Théâtre de Vanves, this festival has established itself as one of the most demanding and open choreographic events in the Paris region.

The name itself—a contraction of "art" and "danther" (an old French verb meaning "to run with ardor")—says something about the spirit of the festival: a festival that chases after dance, seeks it out, celebrates it in all its vitality and diversity. The festival is supported by the Théâtre de Vanves and its two co-directors, who have built a program of rare coherence and ambition.

A Festival of Creation and Discovery

Artdanthé is above all a festival of creation. Each edition features a significant number of world premieres and French premieres, making the Théâtre de Vanves a pioneering venue in identifying and promoting new choreographic forms. The festival relies on a dense network of partnerships and co-productions with theaters and creation structures in France and abroad.

Artdanthé's programming is distinguished by its stylistic openness: contemporary dance in the broadest sense, performances, dance-theater, dance and visual arts, dance and music... All forms are welcome as long as they demonstrate a unique artistic approach and genuine choreographic rigor.

Conviviality and Encounter

The Théâtre de Vanves cultivates a human and convivial dimension in the programming of Artdanthé. Post-show talks, artist encounters, workshops, and parallel events allow spectators to establish direct contact with choreographers and dancers, to understand their approaches, and to experience dance not as passive entertainment but as an active and shared experience.

The Théâtre de Vanves: A House for Dance

The Théâtre de Vanves, located at 12 rue Sadi Carnot in Vanves (92170), is a 280-seat venue that hosts dance programming throughout the year. Its small size is a strength: it allows for proximity between artists and the public, transforming each performance into a moment of rare intensity. Partner venues such as Le Générateur (Gentilly), Panopée, and the Centre Wallonie-Bruxelles - Paris complement the festival's spaces during major editions.

The 2025 Edition — 27th Edition

The 27th edition of Artdanthé took place from March 7 to 28, 2025, at the Théâtre de Vanves. Marked by diversity and commitment, this edition featured around twenty artistic teams with unique proposals blending contemporary dance, performance, and choreographic experimentation. The 2025 edition was notably described as "queer and committed".

The 2026 Edition — 28th Edition

The 28th edition of Artdanthé will be held from March 10 to April 3, 2026, at the Théâtre de Vanves and its partner venues. With approximately 30 performances, 14 choreographers from 13 countries, 10 co-productions, 8 new creations, and 7 French premieres, this edition confirms the festival's international ambition. Among the invited artists are Doris Uhlich (Austria) and Connor Scott (United Kingdom), who will present the French premiere of Cat-Gut Jim.