50 days to go until the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games: Alexander Ekman appointed director of the Opening Ceremony
In 50 days' time, France will host the first Summer Paralympic Games in its history. For the occasion, Paris 2024 is thinking big by reinventing the opening ceremony, which will leave the stadium on August 28, 2024. The Champs-Élysées and Place de la Concorde will be the setting for an unprecedented celebration in the heart of the city. Sweden's Alexander Ekman has been appointed director and choreographer of the event.
At Paris 2024, it's not just the Olympic Games that are coming out of the stadium. On August 28, in exactly 50 days' time, the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games will take place in the centre of the French capital. The gigantic open-air theatre of the Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Élysées will host the event.
In order to create a marvellous show, just like the one that will be staged on the Seine on July 26 for the Olympic Games, Thomas Jolly, artistic director of the ceremonies, has enlisted the help of Swedish choreographer Alexander Ekman to shake up the ceremonial codes once again. Several thousand athletes and more than 180 delegations will parade down the legendary Champs-Élysées avenue to the Place de la Concorde, where they will be joined by hundreds of artists. Inspired by the extraordinary dimensions of this 4,500 m² stage, Alexander Ekman has chosen to place dance at the heart of the show. With more than 150 dancers, including professionals with disabilities, he will bring to life a choreography that is inventive, musical and full of humour.
"Our aim has been to create a Paralympic ceremony that is a celebration with a mix of important messages, featuring the art of choreographic dance and newly composed music by Victor Le Masne inspired by sport. It's a real honour to be part of the Paris 2024 artistic team! I can't wait to share with the world the work that my team and I have created", explains the Swede this Tuesday, celebrating D-50 of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
In collaboration with Victor Le Masne and Daphné Bürki
Alexander Ekman has been working with Victor Le Masne, composer and musical director of the ceremonies, and Daphné Bürki, styling and costumes director for the ceremonies, for two years now. All with one goal in mind: to put together this 3-hour show particularly inspired by the sporting gestures of the athletes. The show looks at the role of sport, and notably the Paralympic Games, as a solution for a more inclusive society.
For Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024, it is an "honour to have a talent like Alexander Ekman" on the team. "We wanted this ceremony to be innovative, spectacular and truly magical, in keeping with this historic event, he added. With Alexander Ekman and the whole team, Paris will enter the dance of the Paralympic Games in the best possible way, for eleven days of competition, celebration and emotion. We can't wait!"
"15% of the French population is affected by disability. Paradoxically, Paralympic athletes are often portrayed as heroes before they return to a daily life that is ignored and full of obstacles. The opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games is a unique opportunity to raise the profile of these battles, which affect the whole of society. To celebrate the Paralympic athletes and be their voice, I wanted this ceremony to be both festive and political. That's why I asked choreographer Alexander Ekman, known for his spectacular universe that transcends the limits of the body, of all bodies, to take charge of the staging and choreography of this show. Together we aim to transcend boundaries and bring them together in a more equal and inclusive world."
Who is Alexander Ekman?
The international choreographer Alexander Ekman is a multi-faceted artist. In addition to his choreographic works, he also directs plays and operas, proving his diverse talent. With more than 50 creations around the world, he has worked with the Paris Opera Ballet, the Boston Ballet, the Göteborg Ballet, the Royal Swedish Ballet, the Norwegian National Ballet and Nederlands Dance Theater, where he also danced for several years. In 2017, he created the sensation with PLAY, a new production for the Paris Opera that challenged the conventions of that institution. Among his many honours, Alexander Ekman has also received the Litteris et Artibus medal from the Swedish royal family, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the arts.
Always ready to take on new challenges, staging the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games represents one of the most edifying and constructive challenges of his career for this major player on the contemporary choreographic scene.
After the ceremony, it's time for the competition!
From the day after the opening ceremony until September 8, 4,400 athletes will be competing for Paralympic medals in 23 disciplines at 20 exceptional venues. All will provide a magnificent backdrop for the Para athletes' performances. The wheelchair tennis tournament will be held at Roland-Garros, Cécifoot at the Eiffel Tower Stadium, wheelchair basketball at Arena Bercy and Para archery at Les Invalides... With accessible prices - family offers (for every two adult tickets purchased, up to two tickets for children under 12 at €10) and discovery packs (Paris centre and Paris sud) - the public can take advantage of attractive offers to attend the events. More than 500,000 tickets for €25 or less and over 120,000 tickets for €15 are still on sale, so there are plenty of opportunities to join in the fun.
All information on ticketing for the Paralympic Games
For the first time in their history, the Paralympic Games are also offering a hospitality programme. From August 28, the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games' evening, spectators will be able to enjoy an exclusive outdoor hospitality experience in the Jardin des Tuileries, before following the parade of athletes from the stands, as close as possible to the Opening Ceremony.
For the competitions, two types of hospitality packages (tickets included) are available to suit all tastes and budgets: a "Lounge" package with guaranteed areas at the heart of the sporting action, and a "Fan Kit" package. These offers will allow them to be immersed in the passion and emotion of the Paralympic athletes' achievements.
Find out more about the Paralympic Games hospitality programme