VIENNA The Legion of Honour is considered the most important French Order. It was founded in 1802 by the First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte, who later became Emperor, and honours individuals for exceptional achievements in various fields such as politics, science, business and art. In a festive ceremony at MC93 in Bobigny, France, the Order was presented to Mathilde Monnier on Friday 7 March 2025 by the president of the cultural institution Brigitte Lefevre.

„We don’t always accept the medals and awards we’re given. I don’t pay too much attention to that, but it’s important to accept these rewards and to accept that we're validating and appreciating the work of an entire team over the years. It’s also the work of the entire company", so Mathilde Monnier.

Monnier is closely associated with the ImPulsTanz – Vienna International Dance Festival. Since 1994, she has presented over 20 productions, most recently RECORDS in 2022 and, in addition to her solo Défilé pour 27 chaussures, the impressive group piece BLACK LIGHTS in 2023, which was also awarded the Les Prix du syndicat professionnel de la critique 2024. As a workshop teacher, she has been passing on her knowledge to professional dancers and artists in research projects since 1994, and in 2006 she mentored the danceWEB training programme.

2025, she is back in Vienna and – even before the festival – presents MUSIQUE – In the Spirit of Johann Strauss. The Missing Step on 10 and 12 May together with the Dance On Ensemble and Judit Varga at the grand piano – in cooperation with Johann Strauss 2025 Vienna.

Monnier’s appointment as director of the Centre chorégraphique de Montpellier Languedoc-Roussillon in 1994 marked the beginning of a series of collaborations with personalities from various artistic fields. After directing the CND Centre national de la danse in Pantin, Mathilde Monnier resumed her creative work in 2019. Since 2020, she and her company have been based at the Halle Tropisme in Montpellier, where she works as a choreographer and gives numerous workshops and training courses. She has created over 50 choreographic pieces that have been performed on major international stages and for which she has received numerous awards, including the Prix Ministère de la culture and the Grand Prix SACD.

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