Irène Tassembédo

Irène Tassembédo, a distinguished figure in contemporary African choreography, began her artistic journey at the École Mudra-Afrique, founded by Maurice Béjart in Dakar. Since relocating to Europe in the early 1980s, she has forged a unique path that merges contemporary dance with African traditions, continually redefining the art form's language.

Her commitment to diverse dance techniques and various performing arts has established her as a multifaceted choreographer and respected dance educator across Europe and beyond. Tassembédo is also a talented actress, showcasing her skills in theater, film, and television. In 1988, she founded the Compagnie Ébène, which toured internationally, spotlighting her innovative choreographic work.

In recognition of her contributions to dance, she received the SACD award for choreography in France in 2000. After an impressive three-decade international career, Tassembédo returned to her native Burkina Faso in 2007, eager to share her wealth of experience with aspiring dancers, choreographers, and artists throughout Africa.

Currently, she continues to create powerful, inspired works with her rebranded ensemble, Compagnie Irène Tassembédo. Additionally, she is actively involved in pioneering cultural projects, such as the International Dance School Irène Tassembédo (EDIT), established in October 2009 in Ouagadougou. This initiative aims to provide high-level professional dance training in Africa and to create an internationally recognized African dance diploma.