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Luca Abdel-Nour is the First Egyptian Dancer at Prix de Lausanne

Luca Abdel-Nour is the first Egyptian to participate at the Prix de Lausanne, a prestigious ballet competition, which is taking place entirely online this year because of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Cairo Scene

Luca Abdel-Nour is the First Egyptian Dancer at Prix de Lausanne

At 17 years old, Luca Abdel-Nour is the first Egyptian to participate at the Prix de Lausanne, a prestigious ballet competition that has put young dancers from all over the globe to the test since 1973.

Having pursued his dream as a ballet dancer since he was 12 years old, Luca began with theatre productions at Maadi’s École Oasis Internationale. Growing fond of classical ballet, he found himself working with principal dancers at the Cairo Opera House, and Ahmed Yehia and Anja Ahcin at the Premier Ballet Academy. Eventually, he earned a one-year scholarship at Budapest's Hungarian Dance Academy.

It was a long journey that culminated with Zurich Dance Academy having scouted him for their world-famous ballet programme in 2018, which finally opened the door for him to represent his school and his country at this year's Prix de Lausanne.

"I have watched this competition every year ever since I can remember and always thought of it as a distant goal for so many years," Luca Abdel-Nour tells #CairoScene. "It just feels so surreal that in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, I was still able to achieve this goal of mine since I was a child. I could never do it without the help and determination of my directors, Mr. Oliver Matz and Mrs. Steffi Scherzer, and my main teachers Mr. Akos Sebestyen and Mr. Ivan Dinev, who have supported me through it all."

Luca Abdel-Nour wants to use his participation to show children that no matter where they are or what their circumstances may be, they can pursue their dreams with perseverance. He hopes that his performance can earn him a spot at an esteemed ballet company.

The 49th edition of Prix de Lausanne began January 31st, with the grand finals taking place on February 6th. It is the first time the contest takes place almost entirely online, in consideration of the Coronavirus pandemic.