Dance Festival Prague

From June 1 to 26, contemporary dance will come to life in Prague and regional stages, as well as in public spaces across the country.

The 37th edition of the TANEC PRAHA festival will feature top artists from Africa (Congo, Mozambique, Senegal), South America (Brazil), and Europe (Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Ukraine). TANEC PRAHA confirms its international prestige while creating a space for dialogue between cultures through movement, body, emotions, and the present moment. "It's hard for me to highlight a few names because this year's program is exceptionally diverse; we have a lot to look forward to! The infectious energy of Mozambican dancers in the performance Vagabundus at the festival's opening rivals the performers of Amaly Dianor in the completely different street show Level UP, which will be followed by Awir Leon as a DJ. In contrast, we will be drawn into the dark interpretation of Cherish Menzo in D̶A̶R̶K̶MATTER, and to enjoy all the contrasts of dark skin, we will also be amazed by the fashion icon and dance-music multi-talent YAV, originally from Congo and now mainly active in the Netherlands. The Benelux region is clearly fertile ground for experimentation, as Belgian and Luxembourgian guests will also present performances that take your breath away. The well-known Italian artist Silvia Gribaudi will bring her temperament and perspective in a provocative solo for Claudia A. Marsicano created for teenagers, but also deep experiences from Ukrainian women who create in various places across Europe," says Yvona Kreuzmannová, the founder and director of the festival, adding: "The right punctuation, the catharsis, will come from the closing of the festival. Emanuel Gat is not here for the first time, and his Lovetrain literally lifts the audience from their seats." The festival's opening will be in the energetic spirit of Africa. The ceremonial opening on June 1 and the following two evenings on June 2 and 3 will belong to the performance Vagabundus at the PONEC theater – an energetic embodiment of the strength and potential of the collective, a gripping story of migrants, residents of African Mozambique, and indeed all of us. Vagabundus reflects not only the journey of humanity but also its author, the renowned dancer and choreographer Idio Chichava, who will also lead a workshop in Plzeň. A double dose of first-class dance art will be brought on June 9 at the PONEC theater with Toujours de 3/4 face! + MEGASTRUCTURE. The "hyperenergetic work" by Belgian dancer and choreographer Loraine Dambermont, Toujours de 3/4 face!, is essentially a humorous tutorial on how to defend oneself against the violence lurking in contemporary society. The following performative dance duet by the Luxembourg duo Sarah Baltzinger & Isaiah Wilson, MEGASTRUCTURE, can be likened to a puzzle, with pieces constantly being disassembled, searched for, tested, and reinvented. This physically demanding work plays with audience expectations, even in Ostrava. The bold and unconventional choreographer Cherish Menzo, based in Amsterdam, will present her work D̶A̶R̶K̶MATTER on June 11 at the PONEC theater, sharing the stage with Colombian dancer Camilo Mejia Cortés. Sometimes just one look is enough, and we have clarity. Society presents us with images that we adopt as our own and consider "truth." Cherish Menzo brings them from darkness into light, using the persistent voice of rap and her body to pose burning questions and challenge us to seek new answers. In this performance, the audience may be surprised by complete darkness, nudity, and loud music. "I just want to make art," says YAV, a Belgian artist based in the Netherlands, about his work. He connects all his diverse passions and talents in his creations: Congolese origin, a modeling career, music production, and movement education in both classical ballet and contemporary dance. MOVEMENTS OF SOUL is thus a theater, concert, and fashion show at the same time – TANEC PRAHA will present it on June 16 at the PONEC theater and also at the Kladruby Monastery. The award-winning Italian choreographer Silvia Gribaudi thrilled the audience of the TANEC PRAHA festival years ago when she presented the performance Graces and then the world premiere of GRAND JETÉ. This year, she returns to Prague with a work for teens and adults, R. OSA – 10 exercises for new virtuosities. At the PONEC theater on June 19 and 20, performer Claudia A. Marsicano, winner of the Ubu award for best actress under 35, will take center stage. She will also travel to Ostrava. The art of French-Senegalese choreographer and self-taught hip-hop dancer Amaly Dianor always transcends boundaries, exploring the thoughts of other nations, other dances, and other forms. This is also the case in Level UP, in which he brought together eleven young club virtuosos from around the world into a company full of brilliant energy. The festival audience will embark on a journey through the latest variations of street dance from India, Korea, South Africa, France, or the USA on June 24, accompanied by the music of Awir Leon at the WPP Vltavská Campus. The next day, the waterfront in České Budějovice will come alive with dance. The unforgettable conclusion of this year's TANEC PRAHA festival will be provided on June 26 at the Karlín Music Theater by internationally acclaimed Israeli choreographer Emanuel Gat. His performance LOVETRAIN2020 is a captivating dance tribute to the 80s and is among the pinnacle works of contemporary world choreography. Emanuel Gat combines elements that have accompanied his work for two decades since founding his own company, Emanuel Gat Dance, this time inspired by the music of the legendary band Tears for Fears. The international co-production Long-term ambition of the TANEC PRAHA festival is to connect creators, encouraging them to create anew, and this year's program clearly shows that this is happening. A new co-production will bring a full-length performance by Italian choreographer and director Simone Sandroni, Budiž světlo, created in collaboration with the local community. What gives rise to love, and what gives rise to a performance? Where do images and sounds come from? What will emerge from this? Everything will be illuminated on June 5 at the PONEC theater and even earlier in Plzeň. The second co-production, Unity in Motion, supports Ukrainian dancers who have been active in the EU for three years; we will welcome them on June 18 at the PONEC theater and part in Hradec Králové, with others being part of Open Air projects. Among them are Yana Reutova (UA/CZ) and Clara da Costa (BR). Open Air or Artist Trip also brings another interesting duo: Adriana Štefaňáková (CZ) and Sten Heijster (FI) in Luminous Daisies – June 21 at Tachovské náměstí in Prague. TANEC PRAHA 2025 in the regions The festival, as every year, will visit the regions – to 18 cities and towns in the Czech Republic. Renowned Ukrainian dancer and choreographer Yana Reutova and her colleagues will travel to the audience with a performance for children, On the Road, which was created as part of the Dance to Shelters project. In addition to the aforementioned co-productions, it will also present the successful trio for Czech performers Invisible Traces, and Clara da Costa will present another Open Air: Peel The Onion. Children will also enjoy the dance-visual performance by Marta Trpišovská, Kolečko: Ověřitelé, which entertains with a simple understanding of physics and optics. The complete program and online ticket sales for the TANEC PRAHA 2025 festival can be found at https://tanecpraha.cz/cs/festival-2025.