French choreographer Thierry Malandain is preparing to leave his post as director of the Malandain Ballet Biarritz on December 31, after nearly three decades at the helm. Known for his neo-classical style and extensive repertoire, he is stepping away from creating new ballets to focus on artistic mentorship.
An Unexpected Departure From Biarritz
Thierry Malandain will step down on December 31, concluding a tenure that began in 1998 when the Ministry of Culture asked him to establish the Centre Chorégraphique National in Biarritz. The departure follows a directive he received in 2018 requiring him to vacate the position at age 65. Although he has remained in the role two years beyond that threshold, the transition brings a definitive end to his long leadership of the troupe.
The announcement coincides with the 36th edition of the Le temps d’aimer la danse festival. At the opening ceremony, Biarritz mayor Serge Blanco addressed the audience and the outgoing director, thanking him for making dance a shared language across the city.
Serge Blanco, Mayor of Biarritz, stated via franceinfo.fr that speaking from one resident of Biarritz to another, he simply wanted to say thank you, thanking him for making Biarritz dance and for making dance a shared language, and for offering their city so much beauty, emotion, and encounters.
The festival itself continues to expand its reach. The current edition maintains an eclectic programming strategy that includes classical ballet, contemporary works, and outdoor performances.
Shifting Focus to Artistic Mentorship and Repertoire
With a career spanning four decades and roughly 90 ballets to his credit, Malandain is not abandoning dance entirely. Instead, he is turning away from new creation to concentrate on accompagnement artistique
, providing guidance and support to other dancers and companies. His established works will continue to be performed internationally, including upcoming stagings in Paris at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées.
This mentorship role is already underway. Malandain is assisting with upcoming revivals of his past choreography, such as Une dernière chanson (2012) at the Opéra de Metz and Nocturnes (2014) at the Opéra de Paris. He has also reactivated his first company, Temps présent, utilizing two actors to assist with the coaching process.
Thierry Malandain, Choreographer, noted via notretemps.com that he had put a great deal of himself into every ballet.
Handing Over the Reins to Martin Harriague
The leadership transition at the Biarritz centre brings in former student and Bayonne-born choreographer Martin Harriague. Harriague takes over an institution with 22 permanent artists who perform roughly one hundred times per year. Harriague’s own journey into dance began at age 19.
The two artists are collaborating on a final joint program in December. Malandain will present a revival of L’Amour sorcier—marking a return to the work he first staged with late decorator Jorge Gallardo in 1988—while Harriague will present his own version of Don Quixote.
A Broader Circuit of Summer Festivals
Beyond Biarritz, Malandain’s work and the broader French dance landscape feature prominently across regional anniversary schedules. The Vaison Danses festival is celebrating its 30th anniversary under artistic director Pierre-François Heuclin, presenting nine productions across its antique theatre and garden stages. The lineup ranges from Jean-Christophe Maillot and the Ballets de Monte-Carlo to contemporary works by Christos Papadopoulos and Hofesh Shechter.
Vaison Danses will close its anniversary edition with Malandain Ballet Biarritz performing three representative pieces, including a newly adapted version of Boléro.