Vitebsk Welcomes the International Festival of Modern Choreography IFMC-2023

On November 22, the city of Vitebsk will once again become the epicenter of contemporary dance as it hosts the 34th International Festival of Modern Choreography (IFMC-2023). This prestigious event, the oldest and most unique of its kind in the post-Soviet space, promises to be a spectacular celebration of dance and creativity.

The Main Event: Contemporary Choreography Competition

The highlight of the IFMC-2023 is the contemporary choreography competition, which will feature 25 collectives from across Belarus. The competition alternates between international and republican status each year, and this year it is the turn of the latter. A professional international jury, led by Konstantin Kuznetsov, a People’s Artist of Belarus and ballet master-repetiteur of the Belarusian Bolshoi Theatre, will evaluate the performances. The winners will be announced on November 26, and the title of IFMC-2023 laureate is sure to be a significant milestone in their careers.

A Platform for Emerging and Established Talent

The IFMC has been a springboard for many renowned collectives working in the field of contemporary choreography. This year, the festival welcomes back some of these successful alumni as guests, showcasing the enduring impact of the event on the dance community.

Non-Competitive Program and International Participation

While the competition takes center stage, the IFMC-2023 also features a rich non-competitive program. Invited collectives from Russia will participate, further expanding the festival’s geographical reach. These performances, created by choreographers from around the world, promise to be a treat for dance enthusiasts.

A Feast of Dance and Art

The festival is not just about performances. It also includes exhibitions, masterclasses, lectures on contemporary art, presentations, open discussions, and film screenings. One of the highlights is the photo exhibition by Igor Gusakov, which will take visitors on a journey through the festival’s history, titled “Vitebsk Modern Dance of the late 20th – early 21st century.”

Festival Schedule

The IFMC-2023 will kick off on November 22 at 19:00 in the Vitebsk Concert Hall. The opening ceremony will present the participants of the republican contemporary choreography competition. The second part of the evening will feature the “Ballet Moscow” theater, a laureate of the Russian National Theatre Award “Golden Mask,” presenting the fruits of their modern dance laboratory “Perspectives.”

On November 23, the Belarusian State Youth Theater will present the plastic performance “Touch. A Little Story About What’s Inside… And Everything” at the Yakub Kolas National Academic Drama Theater. This performance is a fairy tale for adults about the meaning of life, family, and the choice of path.

November 24 will be dedicated to a night of one-act ballets. The “Ballet Moscow” troupe will present the performance “All Roads Lead North” by Belgian choreographer Karin Ponties. The Perm Theater “Ballet of Evgeny Panfilov” will showcase their choreographic performance “The Prince and the Pauper,” inspired by Mark Twain’s novel about good and evil.

On November 25, the “Ballet of Evgeny Panfilov” theater will travel to Minsk to present two performances: “The Prince and the Pauper” and “Libertad Freedom,” dedicated to the life and work of Frida Kahlo, one of the most famous artists of the 20th century.

November 25 will also be a crucial day for the competition participants. The finals of the Republican Contemporary Choreography Competition will take place at 16:00 and 19:00. The “Cannon Dance” modern dance theater from St. Petersburg will perform in the second parts of each final.

The festival will conclude on November 26 with a closing ceremony where the winners will be announced. The “Ballet of Evgeny Panfilov” theater will present their performance “Romeo and Juliet,” telling the eternal Shakespearean story through body language and movement.

The full festival program is available on the official website.