Danse Émoi

Danse Émoi: Limoges' Choreographic Biennale

Since 1982, the Danse Émoi biennale has been a highlight of Limoges' cultural life, offering an immersion into the world of contemporary dance. Supported by the Municipal Cultural Centers of Limoges, designated a national center of interest for choreographic art and creation, this event has established itself as one of the key moments of the cultural season in Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

A High-Level International Program

Each edition hosts about ten companies from France and around the world—Japan, Canada, Germany, Italy, Israel—to present original creations and significant pieces from the contemporary repertoire. Among the artists and choreographers who have participated in the festival are Maguy Marin, Jean-Claude Gallotta, Jérôme Bel, Dada Masilo, Emanuel Gat, Claude Brumachon, Alexander Vantournhout, and Kaori Ito. Over the years, Danse Émoi has successfully blended various aesthetics: neoclassical dance, hip-hop, dance-circus, performances, and video dance.

Iconic Venues in Limoges

The biennale takes over numerous cultural venues in the city: the Centre Culturel Jean-Moulin (House of Arts and Dance), the Centre Culturel Jean-Gagnant, the Opéra de Limoges, the Théâtre de l'Union (National Dramatic Center), the Musée des Beaux-Arts, the École Nationale Supérieure d'Art (ENSA), and the Bibliothèque Francophone Multimédia (BFM). This multiplicity of locations helps create bridges between disciplines and offers the public diverse experiences.

An Event Open to All

Beyond the performances, Danse Émoi offers practical workshops, dance film screenings, photographic exhibitions, video dance evenings, and meetings with the artistic teams. These outreach activities allow all audiences—from novices to informed amateurs—to discover the richness of contemporary dance. The festival is supported by the DRAC Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the Regional Council of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the Departmental Council of Haute-Vienne, and the National Office for Artistic Diffusion (ONDA).