In the enchanting panorama of Lausanne, where the white gold of the Vaudois mountains dances with the light, we are inspired to pen this tribute to beauty and excellence ahead of the annual, unmissable event in the dance world – the eagerly anticipated “Prix de Lausanne.” This event is set to take place in the majestic confines of Switzerland’s largest theatre: the Theatrede Beaulieu. Freshly renovated, this historic 1600-seat theatre is a jewel where tomorrow’s talents will shine under the spotlight from January 28th to February 4th, 2024.
Imagine the Holy Grail of dance, a treasure trove of talent and elegance. The Grail is here, in the vibrant heart of Lausanne.
The Fondation pour l’Art Chorégraphique, the true pillar and soul of this event, places excellence and creativity at the heart of its mission. Under the enlightened artistic direction of Kathryn Badney, this competition is orchestrated with a mastery that combines finesse, humanity, and kindness. Year after year, this approach has revealed rising stars, eagerly welcomed by the most prestigious dance houses as soon as the competition ends.
For the 52nd edition of the Prix de Lausanne, a new record has been set with 425 aspirants. An exceptional jury has selected 88 candidates, a perfect balance of 44 boys and 44 girls.
But what is the “Prix” exactly?
It’s an annual ballet competition, a whirlwind of grace and ambition, drawing young dancers aged 15 to 18 from around the world. It’s an arabesque blending past, present, and future, where young talents meet influential and inspiring figures from the dance world. Beyond unearthing young hopefuls, it’s a profound commitment by the Fondation pour l’Art Chorégraphique, seeking to nurture and refine the art of dance.
The laureates are awarded scholarships to study at renowned ballet schools or companies that are partners of the Prix. With over 4400 young dancers from 79 countries welcomed and 462 scholarship recipients in 50 years, the majority of these artists have pursued dazzling international careers. The Prix, famous for its spectacular finale, plays a crucial role in identifying tomorrow’s stars and maintaining a network of illustrious partners.
This commitment to the art of choreography for the past 50 years goes beyond organising the competition itself: this year, pre-selections were held in Argentina, thus attesting to its international allure. The Foundation also spearheads initiatives such as the “Summer Intensive – European and International Program,” the “Vaudois Dance Scholarship,” and the “Swiss Workshop.”
It is an institution that, in its immense generosity, does not merely reveal talents but fully invests in their training and artistic development, thus sealing its unwavering commitment to the art of dance.
Prix de Lausanne
From 28.01.24 to 04.02.24
Tickets for the Finale are sold out. However, tickets are still available for Rising Stars, an exceptional “Best of” the Finale, on Sunday, February 4th at 3 PM.
The competition is live-streamed, so if you cannot attend the event in person, you can still enjoy several hours of daily live broadcasting. The broadcast schedule will be announced on the website: www.prixdelausanne.org
Tickets are on sale at: https://www.ticketcorner.ch/en/artist/prix-de-lausanne/?affiliate=T99
Cécile Day Beaubié
