Prix de Lausanne faces storm of indignation over jury make-up
The jury of Lausanne International Ballet Competition decides on the basis of technical, artistic, and physical abilities.
@gregory Batardon
Controversial comments about a perceived lack of diversity at a Swiss-based international ballet competition have caused an uproar in the ballet world.
This content was published on
1 minute
Born in Yokohama, Japan. I live in Switzerland since 1999. I hold a master’s degree in international relations from Geneva. I am the Head of the Japanese section of swissinfo.ch since 2016. Previously, I worked for 15 years for Asahi Shimbun at the UN in Geneva, where I closely followed multilateral and Swiss affairs.
The Instagram account of the Prix de Lausanne was flooded with critical comments about the make-up of the jury and forced the organisers to apologise and to pull the posts.
The comments “did not reflect our visions or values. We have since deleted it, and we are truly sorry,” a media representative told SWI swissinfo.ch on Wednesday.
A follower, who appeared to be non-white, had posted a comment decrying the lack of people of colour in the jury of the 50th competition of the Prix de Lausanne which ended last weekend.
The organisers appeared to justify the lack of diversity, suggesting it was mirroring the situation in the ballet world. “Statistically, ballet does not include much variety,” they said.
This triggered a flood of angry comments among the 180,000 followers of competition’s Instagram account.
Some of them pointed out fundamental issues linked to racial prejudice and discrimination in the ballet world.
The winners and the jury of the 50th Prix de Lausanne competition
Rbuas
Swiss justice minister hopes EU reform will reduce irregular migration
This content was published on
The European Union’s (EU) New Pact on Migration and Asylum aims to curb irregular migration within Schengen, Justice Minister Beat Jans said on Tuesday.
Swiss electricity supply outlook positive despite uncertainties
This content was published on
Thanks to well-filled gas stores in Europe and increased availability of French nuclear power, the Swiss Federal Electricity Commission is optimistic.
Finance minister wants Swiss banks to hold more equity
This content was published on
Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter has repeated calls for banks and their holdings in subsidiaries abroad to hold more equity.
Telecoms sector kept Swiss competitions regulator busy in 2023
This content was published on
Last year, the Swiss Competition Commission (COMCO) conducted 27 investigations and initiated 17 preliminary investigations.
This content was published on
Although Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) achieved higher revenue at the start of the year, it suffered a dip in profits.
40,000 signatures against animal testing in Switzerland
This content was published on
Switzerland should do away with “restrictive” animal testing and should become a model for innovative, effective, and pain-free scientific research.
More than 45,000 signatures in favour of federal funding for UNRWA
This content was published on
The Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives (FAC) is expected to decide on the funding of the UNRWA at the beginning of the week.
This content was published on
At the end of January 2024, 6,881 men and women were behind bars in Switzerland. Almost 95% of all places were occupied, the highest number since 2014.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
How are young dancers coping with the video edition of the Prix de Lausanne?
This content was published on
The prestigious Prix de Lausanne international ballet competition began last Sunday. But this year's edition is taking place by video.
This content was published on
The Covid-19 pandemic has forced the Prix de Lausanne international ballet competition to change format: the 2021 edition will take place by video.
Young Canadian wins Prix de Lausanne ballet competition
This content was published on
The 17-year-old Canadian Shale Wagman was awarded first prize last night at the ‘Prix de Lausanne’ International Ballet Competition.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.