Famous ballet dancer returns to Vietnam to find his roots

Mathilde Froustey, a star dancer of the San Francisco Ballet, has just returned to Vietnam to join the Paris Ballet's art program and rediscover her roots.

On June 9, the French Ambassador to Vietnam held a press conference to introduce the artists participating in the Paris Ballet art program. Accordingly, the performance will feature four star dancers: Agnes Letestu - a living legend of contemporary ballet, Mathilde Froustey - a guest dancer of the Opera de Paris, Florian Magnenet and Audric Bezard - leading dancers in France.

Among them, the “French girl” Mathilde Froustey attracted special attention and interest from the press because her grandmother is Vietnamese, originally from Hanoi. She began her dancing career in France at the age of 9, and studied at many prestigious ballet schools such as the National Ballet of Marsille and the Ballet School of the Opera de Paris.

Mathilde Froustey is one of the star dancers participating in the Paris Ballet art program. Photo: CTCC

After a career at the Opera de Paris, Mathilde Froustey joined the San Francisco Ballet and became a cultural ambassador, a keeper and promoter of French classical ballet in the United States. She performed many star-worthy roles such as Kitri in Don Quichotte, Juliette in Romeo and Juliet, and Giselle in the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 seasons.

Mathilde Froustey said this was not her first time in Vietnam: “I once went to Ho Chi Minh City alone. I woke up very early in the morning and went straight to eat a bowl of pho. I was impressed by the colorful markets in Vietnam. At that time, I came to Vietnam alone but I always felt safe and did not see anything dangerous."

The famous ballerina also revealed that her grandmother is of Vietnamese origin, adopted in France. “She often sings Vietnamese folk songs and doesn’t speak much Vietnamese, but in some special cases, a few Vietnamese words will be said, even though she didn’t mean to,” Mathilde Froustey shared.

Carmen is one of the plays with excerpts in the program. Photo: CTCC

When asked if Mathilde Froustey could teach Vietnamese ballet dancers during her return, the “French girl” said she was very willing: “I can return to Vietnam as many times as I want. And if I have the opportunity, I would love to participate in guiding and teaching Vietnamese ballet dancers. Dance is a common language and I think artists can easily feel and understand each other.”

According to zing