Speech by Minister Van Engelshoven at the opening of Positioning Ballet
Speech by Minister Van Engelshoven at the opening of Positioning Ballet on 16 February 2019 in Amsterdam
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Ladies and gentlemen,
Welcome.
Welcome to Amsterdam,
to the National Opera and Ballet,
and welcome to this second edition of Positioning Ballet.
It is a true honour to be in the company of so many talented professionals.
I know that many of you have travelled a long way to be here, and I am grateful for the time you have chosen to spend with us.
I promise not to take up too much of it.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Ballet is movement.
The spellbinding movement of dancers on a stage.
Movement that gives expression to feelings and passions, where words fall short.
The movement of dancers who transport us to other worlds, taking us on their characters’ journeys and opening our eyes to new perspectives.
I experienced this myself recently, when I saw a performance of Crystal Pite’s The Statement.
In this boardroom drama, the dancers bring to life a corporation that is about to publish a highly controversial statement.
The entire piece is choreographed around a gleaming, oval conference table – a type of table I’m not unfamiliar with.
Through the power of their movements, the dancers embodied the impact that power and manipulation can have at such conference tables.
Their stunning performance gave me a new perspective on my own work.
It also made me realize that the power of movement can bridge gaps as well.
Between people, groups, even nations.
Gaps that are getting smaller than ever, thanks to technological innovations.
But is all this cutting-edge technology really bringing us closer together?
Or are we slowly drifting away from each other?
It is up to us to keep making connections.
Connections with each other, with our audience, and, in my case, with the citizens of this country.
A difficult task, at times, because people expect more from us these days.
They expect more from me, as a politician and Minister of Culture.
But they also expect more of you, as leaders in the world of ballet.
We are facing a similar problem: how do we reach audiences that are growing more and more demanding?
Authority and prestige are no longer enough.
It is up to us to keep meeting the expectations people have of us.
It is up to us to keep delivering.
That is why I am delighted to see so many of you here together, to continue the dialogue that started two years ago.
To discuss these difficult, but crucial issues with each other: connection, leadership and work culture.
From different cultural perspectives, but with one shared passion.
Quite a lot to accomplish in two days – we’re not exactly in for a relaxing weekend!
Ladies and gentlemen,
Movement is about more than just ballet – everything is movement.
But this weekend is an opportunity to talk to each other and reflect.
A moment to pause and consider the whirl of movement all around us.
A chance to think about how we can preserve the beautiful centuries-old art form of ballet, so that it will continue to flourish in the twenty-first century.
I wish you all a thought-provoking and inspiring weekend.
I will now give the floor to your host, Ted Brandsen of the National Opera and Ballet.
Thank you.