National
Choreographic
Center
Create, gather, share. Open to all, the CCN of Créteil and Val-de-Marne is a borderless space dedicated to choreographic creation in all its forms, shining on the national and international stage through its creations and cultural activities
Our project
Create, gather, share.
Performances, residencies, workshops, and training for all levels nourish our ambition for exchange and discovery. Through this inclusive project, Mehdi Kerkouche aims to return to the original form of dance: unifying, instinctive, festive, creating bonds of sharing and emotion.
The CCN of Créteil and Val-de-Marne | Emka encourages innovation, research, and interdisciplinary collaborations to push the boundaries of dance.
Awareness and education are also essential to our mission. We strive to make dance accessible to all audiences, regardless of age, background, or physical condition.
Mehdi
Kerkouche
Mehdi Kerkouche, a child of television and images, began his professional career before the age of 18. He then taught at AID, Studio Harmonic, and Lax Studio, and participated in numerous festivals in France and abroad.
In 2017, after collaborating with prestigious artists like Christine and the Queens and directing many shows for television, film, and advertising, he founded his own company, EMKA.
Recognized for his creative initiatives during the first lockdown with the solidarity festival ON DANSE CHEZ VOUS, he was named Knight of the Order of Merit.
In 2020, Aurélie Dupont, then director of the Paris Opera Ballet, gave him carte blanche to create a piece, reflecting his influence and prominent presence in the dance world. That same year, he created a work for the Paris Opera Ballet.
On January 1, 2023, he became the Director of the National Choreographic Center of Créteil and Val-de-Marne, where he continues to innovate and support young choreographers, with the ambition to establish a digital studio to assist dance artists in this ever-evolving field.
He continues to collaborate with major artists like Angèle while pursuing his work with the company. His latest creation, PORTRAIT, has met with great success in France and is gaining international recognition, while the latest edition of the festival ON DANSE CHEZ VOUS at Mucem in Marseille attracted 16,000 spectators.
In 2024, Mehdi Kerkouche was appointed Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters by the Ministry of Culture.
The institution
Since its creation, the CCN of Créteil and Val-de-Marne has established itself as a major player in the contemporary dance scene in France. It has played a vital role in promoting and developing contemporary dance, making it accessible to all.
The CCN of Créteil and Val-de-Marne has distinguished itself through its commitment to blending different aesthetics and dance traditions, thereby creating a unique space for cultural exchange.
Before Mehdi Kerkouche, the CCN was directed by Maguy Marin (1985-1998), José Montalvo-Dominique Hervieu (1998-2009), and Mourad Merzouki (2009-2022).