The XV International Ballet Competition came to a close on the Historic Stage of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia, once again affirming its status as one of the world’s most authoritative artistic competitions. The Laureates’ Gala Concert brought together prize-winners from the United States, Russia, Japan, China, Belarus, the Republic of Korea, Slovenia, Serbia, Armenia and Sweden.
The XV International Ballet Competition was held in Moscow from 25 June to 5 July 2026 on the New and Historic Stages of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia. This year, the Competition was dedicated to Yuri Grigorovich, the outstanding choreographer of our time and People’s Artist of the USSR.
In 2026, the Competition received a record number of applications: 362 submissions from 35 countries, confirming its significance on the global cultural stage. Following the preliminary selection round, 158 contestants from 30 countries were admitted to the Competition; 131 contestants from 27 countries took part in the in-person rounds. Traditionally, participants competed in two age categories: Junior Group, for dancers under 19, and Senior Group, for dancers under 27.
The Competition’s distinguished Jury traditionally brings together Russian and international artists of global renown, acclaimed ballet masters and choreographers, heads of the world’s leading ballet companies and authoritative teachers.
“Our country is renowned for, and proud of, its rich traditions of choreographic art. This year, the international Jury included representatives of the ballet world from Russia, Belarus, Brazil, Hungary, Kazakhstan, China, Cuba, the Republic of Korea, Serbia, Türkiye and South Africa. We are seeing unprecedented interest in Russian ballet, both at the Bolshoi Theatre and far beyond our country’s borders. Full houses at the competition rounds and millions of online views are among the clearest confirmations of this,” said Olga Lyubimova, Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation.
All key Competition events were streamed live on the official website, on VK Video, in the Competition’s VKontakte community and on the Chinese platform Music Today. As in previous editions, the Competition attracted great public interest. The competitive rounds and the Gala Concert were held before capacity audiences, while the online programme received more than 9 million views from Russia, Australia, Argentina, Belarus, Bulgaria, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Hungary, Germany, Spain, India, Italy, Kazakhstan, China, Cuba, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, the UAE, Serbia, Slovenia, the United States, Türkiye, Uzbekistan, France, Sweden, the Republic of Korea, South Africa and Japan.
All broadcasts and special projects have been preserved in the Competition’s official VKontakte community and on the official website, where they remain available to viewers after the conclusion of the project.
Svetlana Zakharova, People’s Artist of Russia, Rector of the Moscow State Academy of Choreography and Chair of the Jury, said:
“I can say with confidence that Yuri Nikolayevich Grigorovich would have been proud of this Competition. For us, the members of the Jury, this Competition will certainly be one to remember, because the participants exceeded our expectations. We rejoiced in their success, worried for them and were with them in spirit. We are already looking forward to the next International Ballet Competition in Moscow in four years’ time!”
Ahead of the opening of the XV International Ballet Competition, a special project, Birth of a Supernova, was created. Its episodes featured laureates of the International Ballet Competition from different years who have gone on to achieve distinction in their professional careers.
Several exhibitions also accompanied the Competition. World Fame: A Chronicle of the Moscow Ballet Competition opened in the public garden on Arkhangelsky Lane. In the White Foyer of the Historic Stage of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia, visitors could see Grigorovich’s Universe, an exhibition organized in collaboration with the Bolshoi Theatre Museum. On Arbat Street, the photo exhibition The Master and His Stars: Grigorovich’s Universe was dedicated to the choreographer’s contribution to the development of the Competition and to his support for young talented artists.
The XV International Ballet Competition also featured a programme of Artistic Meetings. Over two days, participants, teachers, Competition guests and numerous members of the public attended engaging lectures by leading ballet experts, lively conversations with renowned dancers and film screenings. The strong audience response confirmed the importance of the educational programme and the value of such events not only for the professional ballet community, but also for the wider public. The programme was organized with the participation of Ballet magazine and the International Federation of Ballet Competitions.
In 2026, Russian Post and the XV International Ballet Competition also continued their successful joint project, Ballet Competition: Letters of Inspiration. On 4 and 5 July, a Russian Post mobile service point operated in the foyer of the State Academic Bolshoi Theatre of Russia, where visitors could send exclusive postcards produced in a limited edition specially for the Competition.
The Competition attracted exceptional media attention, with more than 200 accreditation requests submitted by leading Russian and international media outlets. Each day, the Competition was covered by ballet critics and journalists representing some of the most prestigious cultural and news publications from different countries.
The Competition was established by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and organized by ROSCONCERT.
On 25 June, the Opening Ceremony of the XV International Ballet Competition took place on the Historic Stage of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia. This year, the Competition is dedicated to the legendary choreographer Yuri Grigorovich, who served for more than 50 years as its Chairman and Artistic Director.
The evening opened with welcoming remarks by Tatiana Golikova, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, and Svetlana Zakharova, People’s Artist of Russia and Chair of the Competition Jury.
“First launched back in 1969, this truly legendary competition is rightly considered one of the oldest and most significant events on the cultural calendar. This year marks its 57th anniversary and its milestone fifteenth edition. Over the years, the International Ballet Competition has paid tribute to outstanding figures of Russian and world ballet. In 2026, it is dedicated to the legendary choreographer Yuri Grigorovich, who served for more than 50 years as its Chairman and Artistic Director. This year, we received 362 applications, with young artists from 35 countries taking part in the selection process. Of these, 158 of the strongest participants from 30 countries have earned the right to appear on the celebrated stage of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia and demonstrate their artistry. Today, this legendary stage once again brings nations together, giving participants from around the world the opportunity to showcase their talent, connect with great traditions and gain invaluable professional experience,” said Tatiana Golikova.
To mark the opening of the Competition, the Mariinsky Theatre presented a landmark production: Arif Melikov’s ballet The Legend of Love, staged by Yuri Grigorovich. The leading roles were performed by a truly stellar cast: Victoria Tereshkina, prima ballerina and People’s Artist of Russia; Renata Shakirova, prima ballerina; Kimin Kim, principal dancer of the Mariinsky Ballet; and Roman Belyakov, first soloist.
Among the guests of honour were Olga Lyubimova, Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation; members of the Government of the Russian Federation; representatives of the diplomatic corps from various countries; and distinguished figures of Russian and international ballet.
The Competition rounds begin on 27 June. Traditionally, contestants will compete in two age categories: junior, for participants under 19, and senior, for participants under 27.
The Competition was established by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation. It is organized by ROSCONCERT.
The application period for the XV Moscow International Ballet Competition has now closed. This year, the Competition received 362 applications from 35 countries, including Australia, Argentina, Armenia, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Hungary, Venezuela, Vietnam, Greece, Georgia, Spain, Italy, Kazakhstan, Canada, China, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Mexico, Mongolia, the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, Paraguay, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, the United States, Türkiye, Uzbekistan, Finland, France, South Africa, and Japan.
The Competition – one of the most anticipated events in the ballet world – will take place in Moscow on the stage of the State Academic Bolshoi Theatre of Russia from 25 June to 5 July 2026. It will be dedicated to the memory of the outstanding choreographer of our time, Yuri Grigorovich, People’s Artist of the USSR.
Traditionally, the Competition will feature two age categories: Junior (up to 19 years old) and Senior (up to 27 years old). The contestants will be evaluated by an esteemed international jury composed of leading figures of the global ballet community. The jury will be chaired by People’s Artist of Russia Svetlana Zakharova.
The results of the preliminary selection round will be announced after 20 April.
VII INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC-PRACTICAL CONFERENCE
«FROM FOLKLORE TO SCENIC DANCE»
«Processes of mutual influence of dance culture and choreographic art in modern society»
Date and location: 31.10.2025 – Moscow, Malaya Kaluzhskaya St., 1.
Organisers:
Institute of Slavic Culture RSU named after A.N. Kosygin
State Russian House of Folk Art named after V.D. Polenov
With the support of:
Ballet Magazine
Moscow State Academic Dance Theatre «Gzhel» Moscow Choreographic School of the Moscow State Academic Dance Theatre «Gzhel»
International Federation of Ballet Competitions
The Russian State University named after A.N. Kosygin, the Institute of Slavic Culture and the Department of Ballet Pedagogy together with the Russian State House of Folk Art named after V.D. Polenov State Russian House of Folk Art will be held in Moscow on the 31st October 2025 the VIIth International Scientific and Practical Conference «From Folklore to Stage Types of Dance». The theme of the conference «Innovative processes of mutual influence of dance culture and choreographic art in modern society» (hereinafter referred to as the Conference) is held with the aims and objectives:
- exchange of experience in the field of choreographic art, discussion of forms and methods of co-operation, expansion of partnership relations between educational institutions of higher professional, secondary professional, pre-professional and additional education.
- creating conditions for personal, creative and professional self-realisation of teachers in educational institutions;
- analysing innovative and interactive teaching methods in the context of renewing the content of education;
- creating a unified information space for communication, exchange of experience, co-operation.
The conference will be organized into sections.
Recommended areas of work for the Conference:
- dance culture in modern society;
- children’s choreographic creativity – the basis of national identity;
- combination of methods of teaching traditional and modern dance directions in choreographic education;
- methods of formation of artistic and creative thinking of a choreographer;
- use of innovative forms of training in the system of professional education;
- amateur choreographic creativity as a form of psychological communication;
- interaction and mutual influence of professional and amateur choreographic art at the present stage of development.
Deadline for submissions: 15 October 2025.
Participation in the conference is allowed in the following forms:
in-person: oral presentation
online: oral presentation
presenting a paper: publication of an article.
Presentation time – 7 min. The Conference provides an opportunity to show video and audio presentations.
Applications for participation will be accepted until 15th October 2025.
The conference will be hybrid, in-person as well as online.
At the end of the Conference it is planned to publish a collection of articles and conference proceedings (indexed in RSCI).
The official opening of the Competition, dedicated to the memory of its founder and permanent Artistic Director, Yuri Grigorovich, took place on 6 October on the stage of the Winter Theatre in Sochi. As tradition dictates, the Yuri Grigorovich Krasnodar Ballet Theatre presented the legendary production Spartacus to music by Aram Khachaturian.
On 7 October, the first round for the junior age group began on the stage of the Winter Theatre. The senior group will continue the contest on 8 October.
The Jury, chaired by People’s Artist of Russia Marina Leonova, includes leading figures of ballet art from Russia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Italy, Türkiye, and the Republic of Korea.
“The Competition is dedicated to the outstanding choreographer of our time, Yuri Grigorovich. Every ballet staged by Yuri became a new masterpiece. In his brilliant productions, he always revealed new names, while those of already renowned artists acquired a new resonance.
It is no coincidence that this competition bears such a name. For many years, it has discovered talented performers and choreographers. I am confident that it will do so again. I wish all participants success and faith in a bright future!” — said Marina Leonova, Chair of the Jury.
The X Yuri Grigorovich International Competition Young Ballet of the World is being held in Sochi from 6 to 12 October with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation. The event is organized by ROSCONCERT and the International Federation of Ballet Competitions.
These competition days promise to be rich and inspiring, inviting audiences to experience the beauty and power of ballet art.
Young Ballet of the World has extended its application deadline to September 14, 2025.
Applications are open to participants in two age categories: Junior Group — up to 18 years old and Senior Group — 19 to 28 years old.
Applications, competition program details, and full participation guidelines are available on the official website.
The competition will be held from October 6 to 12, 2025 on the stage of the Winter Theatre in Sochi. This edition is dedicated to the memory of Yuri Nikolaevich Grigorovich, the legendary choreographer of our time and the competition’s irreplaceable Artistic Director.
The competition is held with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and organized by ROSCONCERT (the Russian State Concert Company) and the International Federation of Ballet Competitions.
The competition will take place from October 6 to 12, 2025, on the stage of the Winter Theatre in Sochi. It is dedicated to the memory of the great choreographer of our time and the longstanding Artistic Director of the Competition, Yuri Nikolaevich Grigorovich.
Participants will compete in two age categories. The Junior group is open to dancers who have not reached the age of 19 by the start of the competition. The Senior group is open to dancers aged 19 to 28 inclusive as of the competition start date.
Applications must be submitted to the Competition Directorate at ifbc@mail.ru no later than September 5, 2025.
More information: sochi-ibc.ru
The competition is held with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation. Organizers: ROSCONCERT (Federal State Budgetary Institution of Culture) and the International Federation of Ballet Competitions.
Download REGULATIONS
of the “Grand Prix of Hopes” International Youth Ballet Competition”
The All-Russian competition of ballet dancers and choreographers in the nomination “Modern dance” will be held on April 08-14, 2022 in Yoshkar-Ola. Applications for the Competition are accepted until March 1, 2022. Detailed conditions of participation and the application form are available on the official website of the competition.
Russia, Perm,
April 19 – April 30, 2022
Performance Program
ROUND I
Classical Choreography
Couples: one pas de deux by choreographers of the XIX-XXI centuries.
Soloists: two variations by choreographers of the XIX-XXI centuries.
ROUND II (SEMI-FINALS)
1. Classical Choreography
Couples: each dancer in a couple performs as a soloist one variation by choreographers of the XIX-XXI centuries.
Soloists: one variation by choreographers of the XIX-XXI centuries.
2. Contemporary Choreography
Couples and soloists must perform one piece of contemporary choreography (modern or jazz dance or a piece of a free or any other style dance) to the music of any composer, staged not earlier than 2016 if the piece is not applied for choreographers competition. In case the piece is applied for the competition, it must be staged not earlier than 2020.
The performing time must not exceed 4 minutes (please mind that the Jury monitor the exact timing of the performed pieces).
ROUND III (FINALS)
Classical Choreography
Couples: one pas de deux by choreographers of the XIX-XXI centuries.
Soloists: two variations by choreographers of the XIX-XXI centuries.
All the pieces are allowed to perform only if the participant has the permission to perform the piece given by the owners of the author’s right to the piece (including the author’s heirs).
Regulations of the Competition of Choreographers and Contemporary Dancers
