Lausanne Prize 2009

A winning video blog!

The Lausanne Prize took place from the 27th of January until the 1st of February 2009, a flagship event for dance professionals worldwide. Harlequin was a part of it.

This year again, the 37th edition of the famous contest was a moment rich in emotions. For six days, from the 27th of January to the 1st of February, 75 of the most talented candidates in the world put their heart and soul into winning the precious training grants enabling them to enrol in the best dance schools and companies in the world. Only 7 candidates had this opportunity. Between exhibitions, shows and contests, emotion was at its peak.

A brotherly spirit

As for Patrick Lesage, the person in charge of the partnership between Harlequin Europe and the Lausanne Prize, it is especially “the spirit of the Lausanne Prize” that scores. In his blog (www.harlequin-prixdelausanne.com), this passionate person of dancing writes: “On second thought, I must admit that what struck me the most was “the spirit” that ruled during a few days and mainly among members of the jury. Proud and holding on to this worldwide event, the members of the jury, who are all leading experts of the dancing universe, openly showed their happiness to be together for a few days. Hugs, laughs, discussions; in brief, one of the most heart-warming atmospheres and so much pleasure in watching it”.

Encounters with the stars of dancing

The days in Lausanne have also led to memorable encounters and exchanges: on the one hand with Paola Cantalupo, who just took over the artistic and pedagogic management of the “Ecole Supérieure de Danse de Cannes Rosella Hightower”, and on the other hand with Gil Roman, the spiritual son of Maurice Béjart.

Harlequin, godfather of Video Blog Lausanne Prize 2009

For the first time, we have sponsored the video blog of the Lausanne Prize, won by the young dancer Skylar Campbell. For this occasion we launched a mini-site and organised the Harlequin’s two for two contest to elect the best video. With a trip for two people for two days to Madrid thrown in, as well as an invitation to the gala dinner organised on the 29th of April 2009 in Madrid within the framework of the International Day for Dancing.

Find here the 5 winners of the contest

1st prize: a stay for two people in Madrid

Giovanna Salze – Administrator at the “Ecole Supérieure de Danse de Marseille” - France
”Incredible! I never play games of chance, and I won! For 38 years now, I evolved in professional dancing and it is a great pleasure for me to have the opportunity to participate in the International Day for Dancing in Madrid! Thank you Harlequin”!

2nd prize: One IPod docking station

Fabrizio Monaco – Set designer - Italy
”I am a set designer and I have been working in the world of dancing for many years and it fascinates me. By the way, I have taken a few courses of classical dancing and modern-jazz when I was young”!

3rd prize: one IPod Nano

Mariana Petrova – Secretary in the Daily Dnevnik, economy newspaper - Bulgaria
”I knew that Skylar Campbell would be the favourite! I am fascinated with dancing because of my daughter Boryana. She is 18 years old and has participated in several contests, of which one was the Lausanne Prize 2007”.

4th prize: A Harlequin accessories kit

Patrick Smeers – Security agent – Belgium
”The first prize was very appealing. I love travelling and besides, going to watch a dance show would have been the first time for me! Congratulations to the winner”!

5th prize: a surprise!

Eva Alexiou – Archaeology student - Greece
”I am fascinated with dancing and music and I dream of having a Harlequin ALLEGRO™ dance floor one day. Thanks to Harlequin, I discovered the Lausanne Prize which, as I have noticed, is of a very high standard. I congratulate Skylar, my favourite candidate”.

For all those who missed the Harlequin video blog programme on the internet, you can always watch the videos at www.harlequin-prixdelausanne.com. More than 100,000 videos have been viewed … in one month.

Thanks to all internet users who voted numerously from Japan to Australia, passing through South Korea and Europe, for their diligent support of the candidates.