Finally, I am back in Paris from Hong Kong, where I had the honor of presenting my first ballet event, Nureyev & Friends, a Ballet Gala Tribute, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Arts Festival. Much to my relief, everything went smoothly, and everyone seemed happy with the result.
I started working on this project with David Makhateli in the summer of 2023, and as my first experience being part of the organization team for a ballet gala, I learned tremendously. From applying for working visas to shipping exhibits from Bordeaux to Hong Kong, the amount of preparation required to bring such an event to life was immense.
I couldn’t hold back a tear on opening night as I watched my favorite dancers—whom I had personally invited—perform on the most prestigious stage of my hometown, receiving so much love and appreciation from the Hong Kong audience. Fifteen years ago, I was the one waiting outside the backstage door, hoping for a photo and an autograph from these very same dancers!
Despite our short stay in Hong Kong—only five days for three performances—I had the joy of showing different dancers around my hometown. We were blessed with fabulous weather: dry, sunny, not too cold, not too hot. I was so proud to guide them through the city. Our hotel was right next to the Cultural Center, offering a stunning view of Victoria Harbour. We even took the Star Ferry to cross the harbor for dinner on Hong Kong Island. I loved sharing my hometown with them, though I must admit I didn’t do as well when it came to food—Apart from a chic Chinese dinner, I simply didn’t have enough time to let them try all the best local dishes. Next time…
This event, which had been a source of stress for quite some time, finally ended in the best possible way. I feel incredibly grateful to the Paris Opera for allowing me to take a week off, to David for being such a great partner and for encouraging me, and to the entire Hong Kong Arts Festival team for their professionalism and impeccable attention to detail. I am also deeply thankful to Grace for her trust and for this incredible opportunity, and to every dancer who granted me the honor of having them in Hong Kong. I truly hope this will be the first of many ballet and cultural events I can organize in the future.
Now that Lisbon, the Nureyev Gala, and my first Bluebird performance are behind me (with one more to come on April 8!), I am turning to my next challenges for 2025. Performing the soloist role of Faune in Manuel Legris’ Sylvia is high on my list, and I also hope to start teaching wealth management at my French business school. At the same time, I need to manage PerformanceS well, as I have been a little absent due to the Hong Kong Gala. I have also been more active on Instagram recently, mainly for the marketing needs of the Gala. Now, it’s time to refocus, get back to my healthy and disciplined routine, and take care of my mind and body.
A few reviews about the Gala :
Tale of Chun 
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