One of Central Europe’s biggest dance events, Budapest Dance Festival stages unique Hungarian premieres, foreign and Hungarian star performers, and ground-breaking shows in February. The international event gets Budapest under the spotlight for two weeks from 15 February, when the official opening ceremony of the National Dance Theatre will also take place.
As a temporary capital of dance, Budapest is to serve its multinational audience with Leonard Cohen songs, acts of optical illusion (Vacuum), and performances – from classic to modern – inspired by Bulgakov and Chagall, featuring the most renowned dance companies, veterans and young talents from Canada, France, Switzerland and Hungary. This year’s biggest sensation is the new location itself, Millenáris Park, where the National Dance Theatre could finally find its deserved shrine. The former industrial building was redesigned for its new purpose so that it can serve as a first class venue for both Hungarian and international dance performers.
The headliner of the event, BJM, a.k.a. Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal transforms songs by Leonard Cohen, Canada’s well-known ambassador of music, into dance moves with the help of three internationally renowned choreographers. Other than the Canadian company, a popular figure of Swiss experimental choreography and art, Philippe Saire will also honour us with his presence. For the very first time, Company Wang Ramirez comes to Budapest and performs an exciting fusion of contemporary and hip-hop dance. Besides foreign guest performers, 5 Hungarian dance companies will also take the stage.
The festival kicks off with the premier of Passage (Beethoven – Symphony No. 7.), presented by The Ballet Company of Győr, and Liszt Academy’s Symphony Orchestra. Kecskemét City Ballet also sets the bar high: their performance promises to translate the exciting fusion of Alexander Dumas’ eternal classic The Lady of the Camellias, and Verdi’s timeless opera, Traviata to the language of movement. Based on Truman Capote’s popular novel, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, which was later adapted to the big screen, starring Audrey Hepburn, the performance by Miskolc Ballet is another must-see. We are excited to announce that Székesfehérvár Ballet Theater, Szeged Contemporary Dance Company, and Budapest Dance Theatre will bring exciting performances to the table, too.
The Hungarian National Dance Ensemble adds spice to the already outstanding line-up by performing its unique folk dance parade (showcasing famous events from Hungarian history) filled with authentic folk music, spectacular visuals, and touching moments. Thanks to the Imre Zoltán talent program and DART contemporary dance company, the audience will be introduced to a bunch of fresh faces in the industry, as well as award-winning performances including Forte Company String Quartet’s Concerto.
Find out more about the event on Budapest Dance Festival’s official website.