Greek choreographer Papaioannou directs Pina Bausch's legendary dance group

"If I had said no to this offer, I would not have been able to tolerate myself in my death bed," choreographer Dimitris Papaioannou told journalists during a press conference at the Onassis Cultural Centre (OCC) shortly before the premiere of his new work "New Piece I - Since she."

"New Piece," which will be presented at the central stage of the OCC from December 18 to 21, is the result of Papaioannou's cooperation with Tanztheater Wuppertal, late choreographer Pina Bausch's legendary dance group. This is the first time since Bausch's sudden death nine years ago that the ensemble invites someone outside the group to choreograph an original, full-length piece for them.

"The biggest difficulty for me was that, for the first time in my life, I had to work with a group of 17 people who had not selected me," Papaioannou said. "With dancers that had previously worked...