Renowned choreographer Angelin Preljocaj inducted into France’s Academy of Fine Arts

Internationally acclaimed choreographer of Albanian origin, Angelin Preljocaj, has been officially inducted as a member of the prestigious Academy of Fine Arts of France. The ceremony took place beneath the grand historic dome of the Institut de France, marking a significant milestone in his distinguished career.

During his speech, Preljocaj paid tribute to the dancers who have contributed to his company over the past 40 years, as well as to the many collaborators who have supported him throughout his artistic journey.

Why this is important: Preljocaj’s induction elevates contemporary dance within France’s traditional fine arts canon and reinforces the cultural contributions of the Albanian diaspora to European heritage.

Context: Born in France on January 19, 1957, to Albanian parents, Preljocaj began his training in classical ballet before transitioning to contemporary dance, studying under influential figures such as Karin Waehner, Zena Rommett, Merce Cunningham, Viola Farber, and Quentin Rouillier. In December 1984, he founded his own dance company.

Over the course of his career, Preljocaj has created 61 choreographic works, ranging from solo pieces to large-scale productions, including Romeo & Juliet, Snow White, and Swan Lake. His style blends grand narrative ballets with more abstract pieces such as Empty Moves, Still Life, and Deleuze/Hendrix.

Renowned for his cross-disciplinary collaborations, Preljocaj has worked with musicians, visual artists, designers, illustrators, writers, and animators. He has received numerous awards and has directed several short and feature-length dance films.

Today, his company consists of 30 permanent dancers and stages approximately 120 performances annually around the world.