A French honour in Buenos Aires
Julio Bocca, director of the Teatro Colón resident ballet, was honoured by the French government as an Officer of the French Order of Arts and Letters. The insignia were handed over at the French embassy in Buenos Aires, in a first-floor room, and the news came out on 7 November. It is a promotion within an honorary ranking in which the dancer already had a place.
The host was Ambassador Romain Nadal, who went over the honoured man's career and spoke of a dance that is not limited to technique. For the diplomat, Bocca's art expresses what language cannot name and draws crowds into a single emotion. Present were the city's culture minister, Gabriela Ricardes, and the artist Renata Schussheim, as well as Gustavo Mozzi, who runs the Colón on the executive and artistic side.
It is not the first time France has recognised him. In 1990 it gave him the title of Personality of the Year, which he split with Mother Teresa of Calcutta. In 2015 it made him a Knight in the same order. In his thanks, Bocca said he has worked, still works and will keep working for art, dance and culture. He named his partner, Germán Alvariza, his sister Nancy and friends such as Humberto Tortonese, Cecilia Figaredo and Lidia Segni.
Manon at the Colón and the link with the Paris Opera
The tribute coincides with the run of Manon, a ballet in three acts created by Kenneth MacMillan with music by Jules Massenet, which the Teatro Colón resident ballet keeps on its programme until 15 November. The Paris dancers Hugo Marchand and Dorothée Gilbert, of the Paris Opera Ballet, take part in the performances and were in the room during the ceremony.
The work carries weight in Bocca's own story. It was his farewell performance with American Ballet Theatre, in 2006: he played Des Grieux and danced alongside Alessandra Ferri. Ambassador Nadal saw in that a meeting of two great institutions, which bring talent and experience to one shared project.
The bond also has a training side. Since 2025 there has been an agreement between the Paris Opera's dance school and the Colón's Escuela Superior de Arte to share teaching methods. For the ambassador, it is mutual learning between different traditions and generations.
The Prix de Lausanne will honour him in 2027
In the same week, the Prix de Lausanne announced that Bocca will receive its 2027 Lifetime Achievement Award. On 6 February, in Lausanne, Switzerland, the final gala of the 55th edition will take place, and there, at the Théâtre de Beaulieu, he will be given the prize.
It was founded in 1973 by Philippe Braunschweig, a Swiss businessman, together with his wife Elvire. Every year it brings together young dancers aged 15 to 18 of any nationality and hands out scholarships to study at top international companies and schools, according to Infobae.
The lifetime recognition has existed since 2017 and goes to figures who left an exceptional mark on dance. Among earlier recipients are John Neumeier, a choreographer, and also Jean-Christophe Maillot, who runs the Ballets de Monte Carlo.
If you go
Manon stays on the Teatro Colón resident ballet's programme until 15 November, with Dorothée Gilbert and Hugo Marchand, of the Paris Opera Ballet, among the artists Infobae mentions.
The source we read gives no prices or sales channels, so it is worth checking them on the theatre's official site before planning an outing. Another date to note: the Prix de Lausanne will present Bocca with its award on 6 February, in Switzerland.
Source: Infobae
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