[FULL DANCE] Bal de l'X Quadrille des Lanciers @ Opera Garnier Paris, France on October 8, 2021 👍

Watch 32 students from École Polytechnique, France's top engineering school, dance the traditional Lancer's Quadrille at the Opera Garnier in Paris, France on October 8, 2021. It is the 129th edition of the Bal de l'X, an annual fundraising gala under the high patronage of the President of France. The charity event is organized by the Alumni Association of Ecole Polytechnique, the "Grande Ecole" also known by its nickname "X."

The Lancers' Quadrille, created in Dublin in 1818, was a very popular dance during the 19th century and soon became a key ingredient of social events during the Second Empire thanks to Empress Eugenie. The only other opportunity to see this dance is at the Ecole Royale Militaire de Belgium.

A succession of bows, curtsies and salutations are danced during the five figures: the Drawers, the Lines, Ladies' Star, Honour Your Neighbour and the Grand Chain, followed by a Polka Step. A prompter calls the figures, maintaining the British tradition.

The Drawers -- The dancers pass round each other, imitating the back and forth movement of a drawer.

The Lines -- There are two parallel line formations for the "avant huit," when the eight dancers, in two lines of four, move forward four steps, bow and move backward four steps.

Ladies' Star -- Ladies give their right hands across to each other and circle round. The movement resembles the turning of a wheel or a mill.

Honour Your Neighbour -- The first and second gentlemen lead their partners to the dancers on their right to whom they bow and curtsy.

The Grand Chain -- Dancers intertwine in their paths like a linked chain. This figure ends with a Polka Step.

A special thanks to the sponsors of the event for their support (McKinsey & Company, LVMH, Groupe Dassault, EDF) and the Garde Républicaine for the music.

The Annual Charity Gala: https://www.baldelx.org/
École Polytechnique: https://www.polytechnique.edu/en