Since its foundation in 1891, ballet has been a French language and culture. In fact, it was originally called a “language and culture”. However, after World War I the name was dropped, and it became primarily a “music language”.
Why are there no French ballet companies?
The French ballet was considered a foreign language for many years. For instance during World War II there were little French dance companies that trained the soldiers. In the 1960s, the situation improved: there were French ballet companies and dancers in the USA. After the end of the Cold War in 1999 the French ballet had a new lease of life under the leadership of the new President Jacques Chirac and his team. In addition, there is a number of excellent universities in France that offer French courses.
Where can I dance in France?
I’m sorry, we have no French Ballet companies to offer. The French government has also outlawed the existence of any French ballet company.
I’ve heard I need a visa to dance in France. Do I need one?
If you plan on dancing for fun on an annual basis in France you aren’t required to apply for a visa. However, if you’re in the USA for dancing it’s wise to apply for one. To help you find the right dance company in France, please see our article on visa requirements for dancers. You may also be interested in our article: International dance in France!
How long does a French ballet take?
It varies. The typical French ballet takes about two weeks.
What is the best way to learn the French language?
In many studies of the French language there are three different routes to learning the language:
The first is “reading” the language in a native-like manner. Reading as it is typically taught in schools, is the least efficient route. As a result, many French schools will take the more traditional route to learn how to read with a dictionary.
The second is “reading of the language with the aid of listening” and is considered the best route today. This is done through listening to a native speaker, listening to reading programs and watching a French television series or movie.
The third is the “spoken” language for which people use various learning aids. These include French video-recording and video-conversions, computer software, and audio-visual aids.
If you’d like a more detailed explanation, read our article on the French
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