At the end of perhaps the most unattractive month on the calendar, when the last colors of autumn have faded and dissolved, the sun has gone on vacation to warmer climes, and the gray sky is pouring rain and sleet, the 36th IFMC took place. To be precise, it ran from the 26th to the 30th.
What can you do to make yourself want to get out of bed on a dreary November morning and smile and say to the world, "Rise and shine!"? You can set up a Christmas tree, hang garlands, and live in anticipation of a Christmas fairy tale. However, the upcoming holiday might not live up to your expectations, and secondly, you might miss out on something important happening here and now.
Vitebsk is fortunate, in a sense, to host the traditional International Festival of Modern Choreography at the end of November. Like any artistic event, the IFMC is unpredictable, full of intrigue and upcoming meetings and discoveries, and even familiar names and performances are new, because we see them with new eyes.
The organizers remained the same: the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus, the Vitebsk Regional and City Executive Committees, the National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater of the Republic of Belarus “BOLSHOI”, and the Center of Culture “VITEBSK”. The list of IFMC partners has changed, including the “Pharmacia” company, the official partner “Belorusneft-Vitebskoblnefteprodukt”, and the sponsor, the Vitebsk company “Rubicon”.
This was the year of the national contest. It's worth noting that starting in 2026, the usual alternation of the contest's scale (international, national) may become a thing of the past. If the complex stage of amendments and approvals can be overcome, the contest will become permanently international. This is a difficult decision, one that emerged from an analysis of the work of national groups over the past decade. The technical and artistic skills of Belarusians have grown significantly and reached a level that requires neither special attention nor artificial hothouse conditions for growth and development. The overwhelming majority of Belarusian contemporary artists possesses basic techniques and skills that allow them to stand on equal terms with their colleagues from other countries.
Naturally, the competition will increase during the video selection stage, and we won't see any familiar faces among the future participants. There will likely be other downsides, but as they say: time will tell. The most important thing is the audience, and with them, the festival will only benefit in terms of entertainment value.

As for the IFMC'2025 national contest, on the opening day of the festival, November 26, the following artists took the stage at the “Vitebsk” Concert Hall:
1. Maria Isakova's "HANDS" project, Gomel
2. Yulia Sulyak's project, Minsk State College of Arts
3. Ilya Tukin, Minsk
4. Alexandra Shpartova, Minsk
5. TEG Contemporary Dance Studio, Vitebsk State College of Culture and Arts
6. Valentin Isakov's Composition Studio, Gomel State College of Arts named after Sokolovsky.
7. Project by the contemporary choreography troupe of the Belarusian State Youth Theater
8. Diana Vlasova's project, Belarusian State Academic Musical Theater
9. Choreographic group "Alesya", Mogilev
10. Contemporary choreography group "Vtoroy Plan", (“Back Plan”) Gomel
11. Anna Leppo's Project, Belarusian State University of Culture and Arts
12. Dance Theater [OTRAZHENIYA], (REFLEXIONS) Minsk
13. Dance Project "Bli3ko", Minsk
14. Pavel Luntsevich's Project, Minsk
15. Valentin Isakov's Project "X-perImenty", Gomel
16. Anna Konstantinova's Project, Vitebsk
17. National Theater of Contemporary Dance "SEGMENT", Gomel
18. SMART DANCE Center for Contemporary Choreography, Minsk
19. "Project 23", Belarusian State University of Culture and Arts
20. Contemporary Choreography Studio Theater of the Center of Culture “Vitebsk”.

Welcoming remarks were given by Alexander Mikhailovich Subbotin, Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, and Ekaterina Valeryevna Usova, Head of the Main Department of State Special Cultural Events and Professional Arts of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus. Members of the international jury and expert council were then introduced to the contest participants and the audience.

International Jury:
- National Artist of Belarus, winner of international contests, choreographer and ballet coach at the National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater “Bolshoi” of the Republic of Belarus, Chairman of the Jury - Konstantin Kuznetsov
- dancer, choreographer, winner of international contests, artistic director of the “Double Drope” company - Juan Tirado, Spain
- dancer, choreographer, winner of international contests, artistic director of the “Frantics Dance” Company - Marco Di Nardo, Italy
- Choreographer, winner of the Russian National Theatre Award "Golden Mask", artistic director of the Chelyabinsk Contemporary Dance Theatre – Olga Pona, Russia
- Researcher of contemporary choreography, author of the “No Fixed” Points project, author and scientific editor of the “Garage Dance” series, lecturer at the British Higher School of Art and Design – Vita Khlopova, France

Expert Council:
- Music and theater critic, artistic director of the international contemporary choreography festival NA GRANI ("On the Edge"), member of the expert councils and juries of the “Golden Mask” National Theater Award, Russian and international awards and contests, head of the School of Theater Criticism of the Union of Theater Figures of Russia, Chairperson of the expert council – Larisa Barykina
- choreographer, laureate of international contests, PhD in Philology, professor of the choreography department at the Belarusian State University of Culture and Arts, member of the expert commission of the Foundation of the President of the Republic of Belarus for the Support of Culture and the Arts, honored artist of the Republic of Belarus – Svetlana Gutkovskaya, Belarus
- Candidate of Art History, musician, journalist, researcher in the field of contemporary dance and theater - Tatyana Ratobylskaya, Germany
- Theater scholar, ballet critic, director of the Public Foundation "Center for Contemporary Choreography," member of the expert commission on choreography for the National Arts Prize "Umai," member of the expert commission of the State Prize of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Literature and Art - Flyura Musina
- Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, laureate of the Prize of the Government of the Russian Federation, Candidate of Philosophy, editor-in-chief of the journal "Ballet," professor - Valeria Uralskaya

And a new meeting with Ballet “Moscow” in the informal part of the evening. At the beginning of last year, the company delighted fans with the premiere of the dance divertissement "Bolero+." Four productions were presented in Vitebsk: an original interpretation of Ravel's "Ondine" by choreographer Anna Deltsova, the abstract dance "Presto con moto" by Kirill Radev, Maxim Sevagin's vintage triptych "Tango, Song and Dance" and the legendary "Bolero" in Kirill Radev's interpretation. Very worthy, we recommend it.

November 27
As a rule, the festival strives to organize a linear program of public concerts so that audiences can attend all the performances if they wish. But that's the rule, there are exceptions. That evening, two concerts began at the same time at different venues.
Small Stage of the “Vitebsk” Concert Hall, 7:00 PM
Vladislav Kostyuchenko performed in the first act. Surprisingly, we knew nothing about him until that moment. It's hardly surprising, though. Judging by his CV, he spent the last 10-15 years outside of Belarus, performing in 24 countries as part of the legendary Cirque de Demain festival in Paris, with the Leningrad Center troupe in St. Petersburg, as a soloist in a Universal show in the USA, and many others.
For the festival, world champion in football freestyle, Vladislav Kostyuchenko, was a revelation as a winner and runner-up of international experimental dance and circus festivals. Vladislav presented his first stage work, "One Man Ball", the story of the relationship between an object and its owner, their mutual influence, and the life within a trick. This unique performance emerged at the intersection of contemporary dance and freestyle ball dancing, the result of his stage and life experiences. Choreographer Ekaterina Desheva co-created the production.
The second act is a performance by the contemporary choreography company of the Belarusian State Youth Theater, "The Greatcoat. Gogol". A spectator attending the performance will likely think that it's unlikely the theater will retell the story of Akaky Akakievich Bashmachkin in dance in full accordance with the plot of the immortal work.
After all, it's contemporary choreography, a contemporary world, different morals. And, in general, the spectator will be right. However, the final assertion, "different morals," is called into question in the performance. In the directors' view, Kirill Baltrukov and the troupe's dancers are exactly the same people, their problems and joys exactly the same as in Nikolai Vasilyevich's story. Minsk residents and visitors should pay attention.

Vitebsk Regional Philharmonic, 7:00 PM
Why was the evening called "Two Marias +"? When the concert program was finalized, it was impossible not to notice that the concert would feature two iconic dancers named Maria – Maria Kossu and Maria Tikhonova. A special name, known in many cultures, languages, and religions. What is it about them that makes them so appealing to the festival? Different cultural backgrounds, national mentalities, artistic schools… These are two artists devoted to their chosen path and purpose, dedicating their lives to dance.
Maria Cossu is a soloist with the Italian Spellbound Contemporary Ballet. A renowned company with a vibrant, original artistic signature celebrated its 25th anniversary several years ago. It's probably fair to say that Maria Cossu is a unique calling card for the company. For the ballet's anniversary, co-founder and choreographer Mauro Astolfi created the performance "The Unknown Woman", accompanying it with the following statement: "This is both a realistic and imaginary story, a collection of memories and reflections about what happened to this outstanding artist over 20 years of our life together. It's a kind of untidy diary, the entries in which I had to read and reread to understand both the woman and the artist."
IFMC has known Maria Tikhonova since 1993, when the entire Perm Theater of Evgeny Panfilov first came to the festival. Since then, audiences have experienced, and continue to experience, more than 30 years later, a true pleasure from the brilliant dancer's appearance on stage. What is it —professionalism, charisma, experience, talent, hard work...? This is Artist Maria Tikhonova. At the evening, Maria performed the one-woman ballet "The Woman Who Went to Bed for a Year", based on the novel of the same name by Britishwriter Sue Townsend, directed by Sona Hovsepyan.
Spellbound Contemporary Ballet soloists Anita Bonavida and Alessandro Piergentili presented a work about love with the soothing title "The Best Place". At first glance, the dance perfectly captures the fantasies of lovers. On the other hand, it prompts reflection on the inevitable companion of search — choice. According to the production's creator, Mauro Astolfi, "The 'best place' is the one you choose yourself, even if you are actually being led there. Whatever the case, the place you want to go is ultimately yours".
The concert concluded with the performance "Ordinary People", a paradox of the simultaneous rivalry and cooperation of people in everyday life. Sometimes dramatic, painful choices are dictated by our own imperfections. The original narrative appeals to ordinary people with the idea of ​​trying not to immerse themselves in the chaos of thoughts and desires, but to transform conflicts into harmony in human relationships. The performance has won awards at many prestigious contests and festivals – in Hanover, the Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, and elsewhere. Written and performed by Marco Di Nardo and Juan Tirado, Frantiks Dance Company.

November 28
Vitebsk Regional Philharmonic, 5:00 PM
The festival continued with a meeting with the contemporary dance troupe of the Belarusian State Youth Theater. The performance was called "Fragility". In the academic sense, fragility is the property of a material to break under load without noticeable plastic deformation. Just like that...
The troupe believes we are fragile at every age, but in our own way. In childhood, we are open to the world and therefore especially vulnerable. In youth, we are impetuous and categorical, testing the strength of our faith in ideals. In maturity, we are vulnerable due to the depth of our feelings and the anxious desire to understand ourselves and the world around us. And in old age, a sharp realization comes: everything has flown by too quickly, and we are too fragile to begin something new. And if you haven't truly lived, it seems you won't have time.
And yet, the inner strength of any person is born from the fragility of each day of life, which is important to live here and now. The play is about the inner world, the search for self, the inevitable changes, mistakes, and encounters that over time shape one's personality and destiny.
Choreography by Alexandra Buyalskaya.

Big Hall of the “Vitebsk” Concert Hall, 7:00 PM
The evening was dedicated to the memory of Evgeny Panfilov, who would have turned 70 this year. With regard to the evening, I would like to emphasize the most important thing: the festival is not trying to create a legend. No, it is a tribute to a man we knew personally, observed his work, and rejoiced at his success. Why is this native of the North, a resident of faraway Perm, so dear to Vitebsk? Because this artist was one of the founders of the IFMC. Through his work and his theater, Evgeny Alexeevich endeared us to dance, and audiences alike, creating a diaspora of dancers.
It would be disingenuous to claim an incredibly close relationship between the festival and the choreographer. Each year, we saw each other only for a few intense festival days, literally exchanging opinions and impressions on the fly. Truly leisurely, intimate, and sincere conversations could be counted on one hand. But even these meetings were enough to recharge us with strength and energy for the entire year, until the next meeting. And the source of this inspiration was his performances.
There was a lot of unconventional talk. Artists from his theater, the theater of the 1980s, art historians, and participants in past festivals took to the stage. Among other things, they not only recalled the history of the ballet's participation in the Republican fashion festival "White Amphora," but also turned all the dancers and choreographers involved in the concert into models for the men's collection by Vitebsk designer Lyudmila Tarakanova. The company's "old-timers" danced, and the modern troupe performed excerpts from the Master's iconic performances, but I would like to dwell on the following.
As you know, the IFMC established a special Panfilov Prize in his memory, named after him, for the contest's best choreographer. Throughout its history, it has been awarded to approximately 20 choreographers, including Belarusian ones. Among the guests were those who have received this prestigious prize twice, one of them being Dmitry Zaleski. During the evening, the Zaleski Dance Design Show project performed one of the choreographer's last productions, "Birth of a Star", as well as the already familiar "Dancing with a Friend" and the eccentric miniature "Nothing in Common."
Valentin Isakov, a dancer, choreographer, teacher, and artistic director of the "X-perIments" project at the Gomel State College of Arts named after Sokolovsky, is a two-time winner of the Yevgeny Panfilov Prize. His work "Planet A" was performed at the concert.
To the IFMC's credit, one of the Yevgeny Panfilov Prizes has a residence in Vitebsk. Its winner is Diana Yurchenko, choreographer and artistic director of the contemporary choreography theater studio of the Center of Culture “Vitebsk”. The dancers performed "Jealousy."

November 29
Big Hall of the ”Vitebsk” Concert Hall, 4:00 PM
On November 27 and 28, the closed round of the contest was held, featuring 20 groups and solo projects, and 29 productions. Twelve works advanced to the finals. Almost all of the finalists became laureates and received special prizes, and the spectators were able to see the works deemed most interesting by the jury in full-length performances during two concerts of the evening.
The first performers at the concert were artists from the Chelyabinsk Contemporary Dance Theater. No, the theater was not a participant in the contest. The order of performances was determined by the technical requirements of the production. The premise of the performance "Dialogues" is the words of the Russian scientist and philosopher Mikhail Bakhtin, whose biography is directly connected to Vitebsk of the beginning of the last century. "Dialogue is not only communication, it is shared creative thinking that can arise when genuine, sensitive listening fosters the desire to understand and be understood..." Choreography by Olga Pona and the theater's dancers.

Big Hall of the “Vitebsk” Concert Hall, 7:00 PM (continuation of the public final of the Republican contest)
After watching the second part of the contest final, the jury began summing up the results, and the Evgeny Panfilov Ballet Theatre took the stage with the premiere of the one-act ballet "The Doll". Alexey Rastorguev's production is a reflection on the birth of a new reality – artificial intelligence, which before our very eyes is gradually and inevitably becoming a part of everyday life, permeating every aspect of our existence – from communication and creativity to decision-making and self-understanding. How far are we willing to go for convenience and comfort? How will the world and our culture change when machines can think like us?

November 30, Big Hall of the “Vitebsk” Concert Hall, 4:00 PM
At the festival's closing concert, the expert council, in agreement with the international jury, awarded the following special prizes:
- "For the Meaningful Content of Dance" for the production "Neeuqder". Choreography - Anna Leppo, Belarusian State University of Culture and Arts;
- "Postscript," the contest performance "Look Up". Project by Anna Konstantinova, Vitebsk;
- the special Yevgeny Panfilov Prize "Best Choreographer" to Diana Yurchenko and Marina Bobrikova, co-authors of the production "Once Upon a Time..." performed by the Contemporary Choreography Studio of the Center of Culture “Vitebsk”.
The contest prizes were distributed as follows. Third prize was divided into two equal parts:
- "Kin", Maria Isakova's "Hands" project, Gomel.
- "A Million Years of Solitude", choreography and performance by Pavel Luntsevich, Minsk.
By decision of the international jury, second prize was also divided into two equal parts:
- "The Storm. Postscript", choreography by Ekaterina Desheva, "Vtoroy Plan" contemporary choreography group, Gomel.
- "New Moon", Valentin Isakov's "X-perImenty" project, Gomel State College of Arts named after Sokolovsky.
1st Prize of the contest: "Vina Vina", choreography by Yulianna Telekovets and Alina Kachan. Performed by Yulia Sulyak's project, Minsk State College of Arts.
The one-act ballet "Eight Russian Songs" completed the public program of the 36th IFMC. This year, Evgeny Panfilov's production celebrated its 35th anniversary.

This is a brief fact-check. Critics' and art historians' impressions of the festival can be found by following the link to the "Criticism and Press" tab. Moments of Dance are presented in the Gallery 2025 section. The festival traditionally expresses gratitude and recognition to its participants, audience members, and project volunteers.

IFMC 2025 poster

Festival Executive Director
Eduard Chernivchan