Elite dancers and performers from more than 20 countries celebrate creativity and cultural exchange in Beijing, Chen Nan reports.

The 9th Beijing International Ballet Competition for Dance Schools and Dance Performance 2025, hosted by the Beijing Dance Academy, is uniting top dance schools and performers from over 20 countries, offering a platform for global collaboration and talent development.

Kicking off on Tuesday and running until the coming Monday, the opening gala was staged at the Beijing Dance Academy and a celebration of both tradition and innovation. With an evocative fusion of Eastern and Western cultures, the performances highlighted the rich tapestry of classical dance, folk and ethnic dances, ballet, modern dance, and ballroom dance.

This year, the competition includes three main segments: an international ballet competition, which features categories for young dancers between 13 and 24 years old; high-level dance performances and a showcase that features 11 original or collaborative dance works from 12 institutions across nine countries and regions; and master-classes led by nine world-renowned teachers from seven countries, who cover ballet, folk dance, contemporary techniques, and choreography, catering to students at all levels.

The competition boasts an illustrious panel of judges, including Nina Ananiashvili, the artistic director of the State Ballet of Georgia, who is an award-winning figure in the global ballet community. The judging panel also includes Vladimir Malakhov, a former star of the Mariinsky Ballet, Ivan Gil-Ortega, Queensland Ballet's artistic director, and Kevin Durwael, artistic director of the Royal Ballet School of Antwerp, Belgium.

The opening gala included a speech from Ananiashvili, who emphasized the profound importance of competitions designed specifically for young dancers.

"For these emerging talents, this competition is about more than just winning," said Ananiashvili, who served as prima ballerina at the Bolshoi Theatre from 1987 to 2004, captivating global audiences with her exceptional technique and profound expressiveness.

Her distinguished career spans performances with the world's leading ballet companies, including the New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and The Royal Ballet.

"It's a journey, a critical part of their artistic lives. Regardless of the results, every participant leaves with invaluable experience, growth and the opportunity to push the boundaries of their craft," she added. "The competition, now underway, promises to be a showcase of emerging talents who are poised to shape the future of ballet."

Xu Rui, chair of the competition's organizing committee and the president of Beijing Dance Academy, says the event helps unite different cultures. "This year's event goes beyond a traditional competition — it's an all-encompassing celebration of dance as an art form and a cultural connector," he says.

Xu notes that though born in the West, ballet has long since transcended geography and culture to become a shared language cherished by all humanity. Chinese ballet, rooted in tradition yet animated by innovation, continues to advance, absorbing the finest achievements of world dance while enriching the art with Eastern aesthetics and a contemporary spirit.

"Since its inception in 2006, the competition, which has been held biennially, has grown from a pioneering initiative into a prestigious event in the global dance community. This year's competition is not only a display of technical excellence but also a dialogue of cultures and a vibrant exchange of creative ideas," he adds, mentioning that the competition has attracted the participation of more than 80 troupes, a total of 947 contestants and performers from 60 countries and regions across five continents.

As part of the event's broader vision, the Beijing Dance Academy is also bringing the global dance community to the cultural heart of Beijing.

The competition coincides with the launch of the World Dance Education Alliance in 2024, an international collaboration that has already attracted 70 member institutions from across the world. This competition marks the first major event organized under the alliance's banner, with dancers and educators from 21 countries and regions coming together in Beijing to inspire and learn from one another.