Paris museum takes NYC breakdance off the streets, and into the spotlight
For the first time in Olympics history, breakdance – the hip-hop dance style that grew out of New York City in the 1970s – willl take centre stage at the Paris Olympic Games this summer. To mark the occasion, the Carnavalet Museum is hosting breakdance performances and workshops.
The Carnavalet Museum is dedicated to the history of Paris, from prehistory to the present day. Located in the central Marais district, it is one of the most visited museums in the French capital.
"Breakdancing is completely part of this Parisian history, or at least the history of the Grand Paris project and its suburbs," Maxime Boulegroun-Ruyssen, project superviser at Carnavalet Museum, told RFI.
"We wanted to show how breakdance could be brought into the museum as part of this rather exceptional event, the Olympic Games," she explains.
As part of the "Cultural Olympiad", the museum offers breakdance workshops for school groups and those with little or no cultural experience.
Dancing in a museum
Quentin – known as Qujo Amphbian – has been a professional breakdancer for 10 years and a member of Relief dance company.
"I tried to explain hip-hop culture to the participants ...what are the moves and the groove", he said.
Read more on RFI English
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