In the company of the world’s best dance troupes

For the past 26 years, spring in Zagreb has been reserved for the traditional “Week of Contemporary Dance”, which will be held once again this year between May 24th and June 2nd. Apart from performances by world famous dance troupes, the festival will also feature the best Croatian dance performances as the concurrent program of the Croatian Choreographic Platform will be ongoing during the same period.

The traditional treat for dance lovers, the “Week of Modern Dance”, will bring the world’s best dance troupes to Zagreb between May 24th and June 6th. This long-standing event is taking place for the 27th time this year and dancers from the best known “dance countries” such as Spain, Israel, Great Britain, Finland, Hungary, the United States and Italy, have been scheduled to perform. Among them, the great Canadian dancing star Daniel Léveillé will be returning to Zagreb with one of his most successful creations – “The Rite of Spring” – which he will also be performing at this year’s Venice biennale event.

Also expected to participate is the great Thierry Smits with his latest choreography “To the Ones I Love”. Furthermore, after many years, the renowned choreographer from Zagreb, Nada Kokotović, is making a comeback to the festival program with her show “Die Spuren der Verirrten”, which was adapted from the text by controversial Austrian novelist Peter Handke.

The diverse repertoire of the announced dance troupes also includes the latest dance act by the renowned Slovenian choreographer, Matjaž Farič, as well as an array of performances by lesser-known troupes from across the globe.

The “Week of Modern Dance” is a large international festival which, concurrently with Zagreb, also takes place in Rijeka and Split. Apart from usual dance performances, the festival also brings together other contemporary forms of body motions and movements. Therefore, each year audiences can enjoy new and interesting dance creations as well as participate in numerous dance-related events. Considering that this year’s festival is concurrent with the large international conference of the International Society for the Performing Arts, dance professionals as well as aspiring amateurs will have an opportunity to participate in conversations about dance and dancing, in addition to an exclusive opportunity to observe the never-before-seen dancing projects of Croatian dance troupes.