Fire juggling at 16, the Palais de Tokyo esplanade at 17, my first fire breath at 18. Then festivals in Eastern Europe, convention galas and film sets.
My answer to Artemisia Fire Gathering, April 2018.
Breath of Fire, the short film we shot in 2014, opens with a child’s question: have you ever wanted to be a superhero? I wanted to know who I was, and I discovered fire. Five years later I came back to it on Instagram: when you breathe fire, sometimes you think it’s a superpower. So am I a superhero? I don’t know. But I love the feeling.
In 2018, interviewed by the Ukrainian channel Ukraina at Fire Life Fest, I put it another way (my words, as dubbed into Russian by the channel): “Fire is my scream. Through it I pass on what I feel: fear, passion, rage. On stage I am myself, and completely focused.”
“I will never presume that I was, or ever will be, the leader of this dance.” The work is all there: finding the balance between the moments I lead and the moments the flame takes the lead back.
And then there are the others. In 2018 I wrote that fire breathing is like a brotherhood: “Secret, ancient, special… No words can explain this feeling.”
We share a common passion, but probably not the same ignition point. What’s yours?
2026CrewNoya BurnWatch the videoA surprise happening for my 35th birthday at Noya BurnOrganised by Lucas Devillers, in the middle of the Noya Burn gala.
Photo tirée d’une story Instagram @44cracheurdefeu
2026CameraParisWatch the video“Be one with flames”A video series with Lebonreflex, and the Burn Crew Concept 22nd-anniversary teaser.
2025StagePhoenix Fire ConventionWatch the videoGala show“Hell breaks loose”: one of the most explosive moments of the gala, according to the organisers. Flames and coloured powders.
“Hell breaks loose”Photo Seeyou Design · Phoenix Fire Convention
2025CrewPalais de Tokyo, ParisWatch the videoBurn Halloween and Burn Crew Concept’s 21stTwo nights with the Paris fire-artist collective, filmed by Lebonreflex and photographed by Eddy Lamazzi.
2024CrewPalais de Tokyo, ParisWatch the videoHappy BurnDaysBurner birthdays at the Palais de Tokyo: Lila Margaux in June, Burno, keeper of the Palais, on 20 October. Filmed by Lebonreflex.
2024CameraParisWatch the video“Into the fire vortex”An Eric Dany shoot inside a light tunnel, with behind-the-scenes footage by Lebonreflex (“Fire Gate”).
“Into the fire vortex”Photo Eric Dany
2024CrewOhlala FestivalWatch the videoHappenings at Ohlala FestivalTwo fire happenings at Ohlala Festival, with Floryane, a fire partner for twelve years.
Photo tirée d’une story Instagram @44cracheurdefeu
2023CameraParisSee the photoBack in front of the lensA new series with Yann Delcambre: “Add a little bit of spice”.
“Add a little bit of spice”Photo Yann Delcambre
2022CameraPalais de Tokyo, ParisWatch the video“Fire Breathers in Paris”A Lebonreflex video on the Palais de Tokyo fire breathers.
2022StagePotenza, ItalyArtemisia Fire GatheringThe Artemisia gala, with the fire katana.
2021CrewPalais de Tokyo, ParisWatch the video“Under Fire” with SouplessA happening with the dancer Soupless, between the Palais de Tokyo and the Eiffel Tower. Music by Spice, video by Pyroboobz.
2021–22StageParisWatch the videoMadame LoyalHired several times for Madame Loyal’s circus nights in Paris, one of them with Fatboy Slim in attendance.
2021WorkshopPotenza, ItalySee the photoArtemisia: workshop and festivalFire-breathing workshop at Artemisia, water drills included.
Photo tirée d’une story Instagram @44cracheurdefeu
2021CrewPalais de Tokyo, ParisSee the photoThe Palais de Tokyo Burners’ 17th“May I offer you my flame?”, photographed by Yann Delcambre, and a first test of Flame FX.
“May I offer you my flame?”Photo Yann Delcambre
2020WorkshopOnline and Rendez-vous HoopSee the photoTeaching through lockdownAn online workshop during lockdown, then back to teaching in person at Rendez-vous Hoop and in private lessons.
Photo tirée d’une story Instagram @44cracheurdefeu
2020CameraOnlineDragon Games 2020An international fire-breathing trick challenge (Team Hydra): 720s, catches, controlled sustains.
2020CameraPhoto shootSee the photoPhœnix ResurrectionA heart of real flames for Fire Ivy and Frédéric Amadu.
2019CameraUrbexSee the photo“Fire leading the people”A living fire tableau in an abandoned building, with Flor Pyrogen and My Wicked Bones.
“Fire leading the people”Photo Gwendoline Chopineau
2019StageGermanySee the photoPhoenix Fire ConventionA safety and basics workshop, and “Circle of love”: a ring of fire for a couple from the community.
“Circle of love”
2019StagePotenza, ItalySee the photosArtemisia Fire GatheringGala, workshop and fire jam, with Kiwamu Miyakubo’s fire katana.
“Closed fire jump”Photo Gwendoline Chopineau
“Breathing for the passion of texture”Photo Gwendoline Chopineau“First double fire katana”Photo Seeyou Design“Spread your wings”Photo Seeyou Design“Oh look a penny”Photo Gwendoline Chopineau
2019StageBelgiumSee the photosIgnite Flow ArtsGala show, and the premiere of a new act.
“Bend the flame like the katana curve”Photo Fotografie Lexooo
“360° fire katana”Photo Fotografie Lexooo“Fire katana flow”Photo Gwendoline Chopineau“Kick the flame”Photo Gwendoline Chopineau“Proof of concept”Photo Gwendoline Chopineau“Spread your wings”Photo Gwendoline Chopineau“Dance with the flame”Photo Fotografie Lexooo
2019CameraParisPyro effects for NatsukimeFlame jets and powders for the shoot celebrating Natsukime’s fire-safety diploma (SSIAP), photo by Gwendoline Chopineau, safety by Joe Guillian.
2019WorkshopBruges and ParisSee the photoWorkshopsA workshop in Bruges on 1 May, where I met Flor Pyrogen, and corporate workshops with Popin the City.
Photo tirée d’une story Instagram @44cracheurdefeu
2019CrewPalais de Tokyo, ParisBurn Crew Concept’s 15thThe crew’s 15th anniversary, at the Palais de Tokyo.
2019CameraParisWatch the videoTricks 2019: “Control, Adapt, Move”The year’s research video, edited by Roger Vidal.
2018WorkshopRodemack, FranceSee the photoGraülich Convention FeuThe gala, and two days of fire-breathing workshops inside the citadel.
“Graülich memories”Photo Didier Van SprangheRead more
2018StageCzech RepublicSee the photosRoztoč FestGala show, workshop and a first slow-motion shot on stage (“Light Up”).
“Serenity”
“Never stop turning”“Face to face”“Summon the green beast”“Under arm”Photo Gwendoline Chopineau“Whip the beast”Photo Gwendoline Chopineau“Draw a Line”Photo Gwendoline Chopineau
2018WorkshopGermanySee the photosPhoenix Fire ConventionMy first time there, as an instructor: a fire performance workshop, and the fire jam.
Photo tirée d’une story Instagram @44cracheurdefeu
“Fire is a real bushido”
2018StagePotenza, ItalyWatch the videoArtemisia Fire GatheringTen days in Italy: a gala, then a fire jam in central Naples.
“How to start a fire breathing show?”Photo Third Eye Generations
“Catch a smile and a giant fire triple”Photo Gwendoline Chopineau“Have you ever watched fire?”Photo Gwendoline Chopineau“Boom, green time!”Photo Third Eye Generations“Fire katana bushido”Photo Third Eye Generations“Calm the beast”Photo Third Eye Generations“Noto fire breathing”Photo Seeyou Design“Put magic in your fire”Photo Seeyou Design
2018CrewParisSee the photosFlamewater CircusI hosted Shade Flamewater in Paris: a co-organised workshop, and photos, videos and hybrid tricks made together, with Mini Azur.
2017–18StageUzhhorod, UkraineWatch the videoFire Life FestInvited two years running, announced by the festival as “the man with a dragon’s breath”: solo and duet at the gala, battles with Zerg, a workshop. Both years, interviewed on the national channel Ukraina’s “Segodnya” news.
“Fire breathing without border limits”Photo Gwendoline Chopineau
Photo Robert Uzh“Fire breathing samouraï”Photo Peter Shved
2014–19StageFranceSee the photoStreet and roaming showsNight parades, medieval fairs, roaming acts: fire right among the crowd, from 2014 to 2019. I no longer do them.
“Paris is burning”Photo Sandrotod
2009CrewParisFirst flames breathedAt 18, after two years of fire juggling: the first breaths.
2008CrewPalais de Tokyo, ParisSee the photoThe Palais de Tokyo BurnersThe Palais de Tokyo esplanade, where Paris fire artists meet, becomes home turf.
“Always bigger”
2007CrewParisFire jugglingAt 16, first steps with fire, through juggling.
Festivals and conventions
Festivals in detail
Stories, photos and videos from the 2016 to 2018 fire festivals, from Kyiv to Potenza.
Photographers, filmmakers, performers, pyrotechnicians: fire is teamwork. As I once told a photographer: “We only shine on stage because you rock behind the lens.”
