The latest in his feather-laden cap is that he has been appointed the ambassador for The Hong Kong Salsa Festival, which is in progress. He was in the city recently and TOI caught up with him...

The biggest salsa congress in Asia, this festival is a meeting point of many cultures, varied dance forms and different people. And Lourd isn’t new to this — he’s been a performer and instructor at the festival for the last eight years. In fact, over the last few years, he has also been the head judge of the Asia Open Salsa Championship. So what does his responsibility as ambassador entail?

‘The festival is being promoted in a big way this year; more as a tourist attraction
. In fact, from this year, the competition is Asia-Pacific. The participation will be a lot more diverse. My role is to promote the festival in India and outside and co-ordinate workshops.”

The festival that has many performances and social events at nightclubs will have a competition where the best from the international arena will compete for the title. And Lourd is excited because his own students are among the participants. “There will be celebrity performers to enthrall the audience but the competition is always the highlight. I hope my students return with a trophy,” he smiles.
Talking about Chennai as a salsa hub, he continues, “Salsa has been in the city long enough for the focus to shift from just dancing to technique. Passion is growing and at the professional level it won’t be long before Chennai too produces its own salsa champs,” he says.

And, his responsibility doesn’t end with the festival. “After the festival, I will head to South Africa
and Europe to fulfil my other obligations as promoter.”