11, 12 Nov 2006. In Shoes, choreography by Pichet Klunchun, and in Pichet Klunchun and myself, choreography by Jerome Bel as part of RomaEuropa Festival. Pichet Klunchun is one of Thailands most skillful traditional dancers, and one of the few who combine his tradition with modern dance. He has studied Khon (Thai masked dance) under one of the great masters from the age of 16. However, the most demanding and fundamental part of Khon self-understanding and self-realisation cannot be taught, and Klunchun demonstrates his artistic and spiritual depth. In the second piece, two men sit on a stage opposite each other. Each asks the other a question. One of them, Jrme Bel, is a French choreographer embedded in conceptualist, post-modern Europe and the other is Klunchun himself. Despite its superficial simplicity Bels duo Pichet Klunchun and myself is an artistic heavyweight in which intercultural exchange is made possible without overbearing political correctness. Klunchun and Bel have little in common except for the circumstance that they work in the area of dance. But they use the opportunity to demonstrate their differences in public. So, amongst other things, one learns astounding things about Khon dance sign language. In the end there is no sentimental embrace but rather mutual respect.