A Shared Celebration of the Visegrád Four through the Language of Dance
Edited by Anna Popper
As part of the cultural program series of Hungary’s Presidency of the Visegrád Group – Czech Republic, Hungary, Republic of Poland and Republic of Slovakia (V4), the National Dance Theatre in Budapest hosted the V4 Dance Weekend from 20 to 22 February 2026. The National Dance Theatre is one of Hungary’s most prestigious cultural venues and a true home for the art of dance, bringing together Hungarian and international artists where tradition and innovation meet.
Over three inspiring days, audiences experienced the artistic richness and creative spirit of the Visegrád countries. Renowned dance ensembles from Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary took the stage both individually and in joint performances, highlighting the region’s cultural diversity and strong tradition of cooperation. This unique event offered a vibrant celebration of Central Europe’s shared identity – expressed through the universal and unifying language of dance.
Hungary’s V4 Presidency
The Visegrád Group (V4), established in 1991, is a long-standing alliance between Hungary, the Republic of Poland, the Czech Republic, and the Republic of Slovakia. The V4 aims to promote regional cooperation and strengthen cultural, political, and economic ties in Central Europe.
From 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026, Hungary holds the rotating presidency of the Visegrád Group. Key objectives of this one-year presidency include strengthening the region’s competitiveness and deepening cooperation with partners in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Hungary is committed to ensuring that the V4 partnership remains stable, dynamic, and productive, with cultural collaboration playing a central role in fostering stronger relations and mutual understanding across the region.
Programme Highlights
Three Days, Four Countries, One Celebration – Unity in Motion
Opening Event – Friday, 20 February 2026
The weekend dedicated to the magic of dance opened with two remarkable contemporary works from Czechia and Poland, presenting a shared artistic vision of the V4 countries.
The Prague Chamber Ballet brought Fragment 24, choreographed by Petr Zuska. The piece draws inspiration from Má vlast (My Homeland), Bedřich Smetana’s celebrated cycle of six symphonic poems, rooted in love for his country. The work evokes the beauty of the Czech landscape, rivers, national legends, and moments of historical memory.
This was followed by 45, created by Jacek Przybyłowicz for the Polish Dance Theatre. This large-scale production was built around the dancers’ own creative contributions and reflected the choreographer’s distinctive artistic language, while also telling the story of the theatre’s 45-year history. It drew inspiration from the physical intensity of contemporary Israeli dance, the refinement of neoclassical forms, and the boundless imagination of today’s performers. https://tancszinhaz.hu/musor/fragment-24-45/4142
Slovak Dance Theatre Evening – Saturday, 21 February 2026
The second evening presented a grand-scale, visually spectacular production by the Slovak Dance Theatre (Slovenské Divadlo Tanca-SDT): The Hunchback of Notre Dame, choreographed by Ján Ďurovčík. The performance offered insights into the creative world of Slovak dance and theatre art.
The ensemble, renowned as Slovakia’s most celebrated dance company and acclaimed on stages from New York to Tokyo, made its Budapest debut with this premiere. Ďurovčík’s breathtaking interpretation has captivated audiences and critics alike, providing an extraordinary glimpse into the rich artistic landscape of Slovak dance and theatre. https://tancszinhaz.hu/musor/the-hunchback-of-notre-dame/4132
Closing Night: V4 International Ballet Gala – Sunday, 22 February 2026
The three-day event concluded with the V4 International Ballet Gala, held at the National Dance Theatre as the grand finale of the V4 Dance Weekend.
The evening brought together outstanding soloists such as Alina Nanu and Paul Irmatov from the Czech National Ballet, Alina Nanu and Paul Irmatov from the Czech National Ballet, Olga Chelpanova and Andrea Schifano from the Slovak National Ballet, and Kiyota Motomi from the Hungarian National Ballet, along with talented graduating students Clémence Rhode and Sámuel Gribovszki of the Hungarian Dance University, to the great pleasure of the audience – including ambassadors from the diplomatic corps in Budapest – who rewarded the artists with enthusiastic applause.
The programme featured celebrated solos and pas de deux from some of the greatest classical ballets, such as Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Anna Karenina, Romeo and Juliet, Grand Pas Classique, La Bayadère, and Raymonda, alongside duets from modern dance works. More than just a performance, the gala became a meeting point of nations, cultures and styles, where diversity expressed itself through movement transformed into a shared artistic experience.
A Photo Gallery, capturing this unforgettable evening, preserves moments when movement became poetry and music found its expression in grace, celebrating the shared cultural heritage, creative spirit and cross-border friendship of the four Visegrád countries:
The V4 International Ballet Gala concluded with a reception, providing guests an opportunity to interact in a cheerful and convivial atmosphere and meet the exceptionally gifted artists. The V4 Dance Weekend was a memorable event that further strengthened the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the V4 countries.
A Celebration of Central European Cultural Cooperation
The V4 Dance Weekend highlighted the strength of Central European cooperation through the art of dance, showcasing the enduring cultural connections and shared values of the four nations.
The event was supported by the Hungarian Ministry of Culture and Innovation, in cooperation with the Czech Centre, the Polish Institute, and the Slovak Institute in Budapest.
“The truest expression of a people is in its dance and its music. Bodies never lie”, as the great American choreographer Agnes de Mille once said.
More information: https://tancszinhaz.hu/harom-nap-negy-orszag-kozos-unnep
Source: National Dance Theatre Budapest
Photos from the National Dance Theatre Budapest, and Ms. Nikolett Kaszner
