Today, for number 10 of our Advent Calender Blog, we have interviewed one of the most stunning dancers on Thierry Malandains company: Mr. Frederik Debert. Frederik comes from Belgium and is dancing with Malandain Ballet Biarritz for 20 years now. Before, he was dancing at Royal Ballet of Flanders. For him the words “Discipline”, “Vital” and “Freedom” are very much related to dance & culture.

We have asked Fred the following questions:

NDKD: What was your first encounter with dance?

Frederik Debert (FD): My first encounter with dance was when I was 4 years old, and I went to see « The Sleeping Beauty ». I was leaning on the balcony the whole performance and my eyes never left the stage. Everything seemed so magical! After that performance I said to my parents « I wanna dance! » And I never stopped dancing ever since.

NDKD: Who or what inspires you and why?

FD: I think everything can be inspiring. When we’re working on a new creation, I’ll look up everything I can find on the role or subject. I’ll watch movies, read books or articles, listen to songs, observe how people react or move… I never really think of one person in particular when I dance, because it can become hard and difficult to go on when you continuously compare yourself to others. People that inspire or motivate me often have nothing to do with dance, we always try to find a hero but even the weakest individual can be deeply moving.

NDKD: Your favorite choreography that you have seen/danced yourself?

FD: There are many ballets I like to dance and many more I have loved watching. I remember seeing « Revelations » of Alvin Ailey and I was absolutely blown away by the energy that came from that stage. My favorite ballet that I danced myself is « Romeo & Juliette » by Thierry Malandain. He used the music of Berlioz that is less known than the one of Prokofiev and used these big metal trunks as decor. He gave a huge importance and depth to Friar Laurence, the role I danced, and it would make my cry at the end of every show. My other favorite ballet is « Silhouette » of Thierry Malandain because it’s an incredible gift when a choreographer creates a solo for you. 

NDKD: How and where are you spending Christmas this year?

FD: Usually I’d spend Christmas with my family but this year we perform on that day. So, I will be spending Christmas with my second family on stage. Happy Holidays!

NDKD: Last but not least, dear Fred, please describe yourself in one sentence.

FD: I would say I’ve got a big mouth but an even bigger hearth, no effort is too big for me, and I’ll always try to challenge myself.

Photo by Olivier Houeix