Theater maker and visual artist Jan Fabre (63) will not appeal against his conviction for bullying and unwanted sexual advances.
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At the end of April, artist Jan Fabre was sentenced by the Antwerp criminal court to a suspended prison sentence of 18 months. He had to answer for charges by twelve dancers about violence, bullying at work, indecent assault and humiliation. These included unwanted French kissing, hurtful comments during rehearsals and sexual advances during private photo shoots.
In the end, six complaints were found to be well-founded, according to the court. He saw a recurring pattern, in which Fabre abused his position of power as a director and showed sexually transgressive behavior among young dancers. Five other offenses, which took place between 2002 and 2007, were time-barred, for one complaint Fabre was acquitted under the heading of artistic freedom.
The appeal period expired today. Lawyer Eline Tritsmans says that Jan Fabre remains disappointed that there was no full acquittal, but that he acquiesced in the verdict. “Appealing would mean that the entire controversy surrounding the person of Jan Fabre will lead a new life and the theater maker would rather not see that happen,” it says in a press release. ‘The reputational damage is irrevocable.’ The artist emphatically emphasizes “that he never intended to hurt actors or dancers”, as witnessed in his open letter with apologies, which was read by the lawyers in court. The victims did not believe that much.
Civil parties
The victims who filed a civil suit – the twelve dancers and the Institute for the Equality of Men and Women – are also not appealing and are relieved that the criminal proceedings are now over. “It felt like an endless marathon,” he said. ‘It is very difficult for victims of transgressive behaviour, especially by an offender in a position of power. It is a personal victory for each of us that we have dared to make our voices heard. That the court has listened and believed us is an important second victory. The fact that Fabre is stopped in his harmful pattern and is no longer allowed to make victims is a third victory.’
Future
Fabre will not fly behind bars: if he does not commit similar offenses in the next five years, he will remain free. The question is whether he can continue as artistic director of his company Troubleyn with a criminal record. Chairman of the board of directors Chantal Pauwels did not want to comment. Troubleyn has continued its activities in recent months, for example, there is another public try-out of the new creation this weekend. She was and she is, even with Els Deceukelier.
Advocate Tritsmans is keen on the way in which the court has interfered with the artistic freedom of an artist with this ruling. 175 (former) employees and colleagues from the theater world also launched a statement in which they oppose the caricatural image of Fabre. These include actress Clara Cleymans, photographer Dirk Braeckman, actor Gène Bervoets, authors Jeroen Olyslaegers and Stefan Hertmans and musician Stef Kamil Carlens. Regardless of Fabre’s position, Troubleyn’s future is highly uncertain: due to the negative advice of the assessment committee, there is a very good chance that the company will lose its operating resources for the period 2023-2027.
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