Choreographer Neumeier: Dance is the most human art

Neumeier: "My style is whatever the subject demands."

Why not bring this side into a choreography? "This is my examination of faith," emphasized the artist. He does not want to be categorized stylistically. "I can only say it's contemporary dance. My training comes from classical and modern dance. My style is whatever the subject demands."

The Polish-Russian dancer Vaslav Nijinsky (1889-1950), to whom Neumeier dedicated a ballet in 2000, played a special role in his life. "I have always delved deeper into Nijinsky and tried to understand events better. But the fascination for him has remained the same, whereas the interest has even grown stronger and stronger."

A choreographer wants to do better every time

The ballet that is now being staged in Dresden is certainly different to the one that was shown at the premiere in 2000. "I haven't stood still, I have hopefully also developed as a person." The choreography is a little different every time.

In his work with dancers, Neumeier does not see himself as a "despot". Above all, he needs their trust. "I try to be honest and say exactly what I think, name my mistakes. This form of dialog is very important. I don't shout at people, but I try to explain as precisely as possible what is wrong."

Passing on experience to the younger generation

Neumeier sees a mission in passing on experience to the younger generation. His dance collage "Die Unsichtbaren", which he created together with the Bundesjugendballett and which deals with ostracized dancers of the Nazi era, recently served this purpose. "It was important to me that young people understand that there was a time when personal freedoms that we take for granted today were restricted."

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