HCM CITY — The French Institute of Việt Nam will present a special dance show by French-Algerian choreographer Hervé Koubi as part of his exceptional tour to Việt Nam, beginning on June 17.

The dance, Ce que le jour doit à la nuit (What the Day Owes the Night), is inspired by Algerian novelist Yasmina Khadra’s eponymous novel and by Koubi’s personal quest to reconnect with his Algerian roots. It explores identity, memory, and the encounter of cultures.

The production features a stunning fusion between acrobatics, gymnastics, b-boying, hip-hop, contemporary dance, and ballet.

Fourteen dancers, mostly from hip-hop and urban dance backgrounds, transform the energy of the street into a collective dance of rare power. The dancers push the limits of the body while maintaining remarkable precision and great visual beauty.

Influenced by the aesthetics of oriental painting and Islamic architecture, the choreography creates stage images that are both spectacular and meditative.

Ce que le jour doit à la nuit premiered at the Marseille-Provence 2013, a cultural event to celebrate Marseille being awarded the title of European Capital of Culture in 2013.

Since its premiere, the show has made its mark on international stages with the power of its choreographic language and the richness of its cultural inspiration.

Koubi studied both biology and dance at the University of Aix-en-Provence before graduating as a Pharmaceutical Doctor in 2002.

After deciding to concentrate on a dancing career and graduating from the Rosella Hightower School of Dance in Cannes, Koubi gained professional experience as a dancer before creating his first project entitled Le Golem.

In July 2015, Hervé Koubi was awarded the French medal of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres (The Order of Arts and Letters) in recognition of his contribution to promoting and developing French culture and arts worldwide.

The performances in Việt Nam will be held at the Huế Festival in Huế City on June 17, at the Bến Thành Theatre in HCM City on June 19, and at the Tuổi Trẻ Theatre in Hà Nội on June 21. — VNS