Interviews / 11/18/2025

Roberto Bolle: his first appearance at Dubai Opera and the challenge of getting people interested in dance

A first-time appearance in the name of artistic excellence and cultural interaction, thanks to a partnership between Mapei, the Italian Embassy, and Dubai Opera

Interviewee

Roberto Bolle

Étoile at La Scala Theatre Ballet and Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre

We interviewed Roberto Bolle, one of the greatest ballet stars of his generation, on his debut at Dubai Opera, sponsored by Mapei and supported by the Italian Embassy in the United Arab Emirates.

On 6^th November, the world-renowned "Roberto Bolle and Friends" classical dance gala was performed for the first time in the United Arab Emirates at Dubai Opera. On stage, Roberto Bolle – the star of La Scala Opera House and lead dancer of the American Ballet Theatre – led a cast of international artists in a production that was a mixture of artistic mastery, elegance, and innovation.

The event, presented by the Dubai Opera in partnership with ARTEDANZA Srl, was sponsored by Mapei and supported by the Italian Embassy in the United Arab Emirates as part of the two nations’ joint commitment to promoting cultural interaction and artistic excellence. Mapei’s involvement in this first-time performance in Dubai underlined its support for art and culture as an integral part of its business approach: a contribution to helping communities grow by sponsoring creativity, talent, and international cooperation.

In this interview, Roberto Bolle looks back at the emotions he felt when stepping onto the Dubai Opera stage for the first time, also reflecting on the importance of support from businesses and institutions in promoting culture and talking about the challenge of introducing young people to dance.

On 6th November, the "Roberto Bolle and Friends" event was first held in Dubai and attended by Veronica Squinzi, CEO di Mapei, Paolo Petrocelli, Head of Dubai Opera, and Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UAE.

This is your first time on stage of Dubai Opera. How do you feel about bringing dance to such a prestigious and cosmopolitan setting?

It is always a great thrill to bring dance to places of such importance, especially in a region of the world that over recent decades has shown an ever-increasing interest in art and culture. Dubai Opera is a symbol of modernity and dialogue between cultures, and I believe that the universal language of dance is the ideal means of creating this dialogue.

The event is sponsored by Mapei and the Italian Embassy in the Emirates. How important do you think businesses and institutions are in promoting culture?

The support of businesses and institutions is key. Culture needs strong allies, people who believe in its educational, social, and human value. When organisations like Mapei and the Italian Embassy invest in dance, they are not just supporting a show, they are helping spread beauty, values, and inspiration. And this, today more than ever, is a sign of great responsibility and vision.

You have always tried to introduce the general public to dance. What is the biggest challenge nowadays in making this art form accessible to and popular with young people?

The biggest challenge is to speak to young people in an inspirational way, making them understand that dance is not some distant or elitist world, but a living language of emotions, freedom, and personal expression. It needs to be brought out of theatres and into schools, urban spaces, and places where young people live.

Only then will they be able to identify with dance and realise that it is also a way to get to know yourself better, grow, learn discipline, and appreciate the beauty of creating something together. I try to do this any way I can: through the Roberto Bolle and Friends gala and television programs. Two years ago, I even set up the Roberto Bolle Foundation, which focuses on training and education: goals we also pursue through OnDance, a big dance festival open to everyone that fully embraces the underlying spirit of the Foundation.

Interviewee

Roberto Bolle

Étoile at La Scala Theatre Ballet and Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre

Tag

#culture

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