The 4th Budapest Ballet Grand Prix (BBGP) will take place between 15 and 19 November 2026. Less than a month before the start of the competition, the organising committee held a press conference at the National Dance Theatre, announcing a record number of applicants: 203 ballet dancers from 41 countries have registered for this year’s event.
Photos by Adrienne Horváth – BBGP2026
Márta Fodor-Molnár, Rector of the Hungarian Dance University and President of the Organising Committee, believes that the efforts invested by the organisers and the university community in developing the competition over recent years are now clearly beginning to pay off. This became evident at the opening of the press conference, held in the impressive foyer of the National Dance Theatre. The event attracted a large audience, including heads of several diplomatic missions in Hungary and representatives of the competition’s sponsors.
„The organising committee and I are delighted by the growing interest in the Budapest Ballet Grand Prix,” said Márta Fodor-Molnár. “When we began planning the competition five years ago, our goal was clear: to make the Budapest Ballet Grand Prix a key part of the Hungarian Dance University’s international brand-building strategy. This year, when we saw that more than 200 dancers from 41 countries had entered the competition, it was the first time I truly felt that our efforts were beginning to pay off. I am very excited because I believe this prestigious event is doing a tremendous amount to raise the international profile of both the university and Hungarian dance. BBGP brings many talented young dancers to Hungary.
At the same time, we invite internationally renowned artists, choreographers and company directors to act as jury members. They get to discover the university’s facilities, meet our talented students and outstanding faculty, and take part in an international conference. Afterwards, we receive a lot of positive feedback from them. The figures also speak for themselves. The growing interest in this year’s competition is one clear sign of our progress, but the university’s own results tell the same story. These include our facilities, student numbers, outstanding teaching staff and the fact that 90% of our dance graduates can find employment in the profession.”
In his opening remarks, Péter Ertl, Director of the National Dance Theatre, which co-hosts the competition, emphasised the following:
„Budapest Ballet Grand Prix means much more to them than simply hosting a prestigious international competition. For a few days, the National Dance Theatre fills with young dancers. Wherever you go in the building, you come across competitors stretching, warming up, rehearsing or preparing to step onto the stage. I love this atmosphere because it shows just how much hard work, perseverance and passion is behind every moment on stage.”
Péter Ertl also highlighted the long-standing and valuable partnership between the National Dance Theatre and the Hungarian Dance University.
“For me, this collaboration is also about bringing education and professional performing arts closer together, so that they can support and inspire young artists. I believe it is important for young dancers to experience early in their careers what it means to perform in a real theatre environment and showcase their talent in front of an international jury and audience.”
Tamás Nagy, Competition Director of Budapest Ballet Grand Prix and an associate professor at the Hungarian Dance University, introduced the members of this year’s jury. He previously spent 13 years as a principal dancer with Dutch National Ballet.
He highlighted that one of the competition’s greatest attractions is the opportunity it gives talented young dancers to meet internationally renowned stars in Budapest each year. This remains a key feature of the BBGP. The jury includes several distinguished ballet dancers and choreographers whose participation alone is enough to generate considerable interest in the competition.
The jury for the November competition will be chaired by György “Youri” Vámos, who began his career at the State Ballet Institute in Budapest and went on to achieve international success. He later led several major ballet companies, from Dortmund to Basel. He is widely regarded as one of the finest choreographic storytellers of our time.
Another internationally renowned member of the jury is Vladimir Malakhov, who was born in Ukraine and holds Austrian citizenship. He previously served as Artistic Director of Berlin State Ballet and performed with leading companies around the world. He is currently a professor at the Beijing Dance Academy.
The jury also features several distinguished female figures from the world of ballet. Nina Poláková, a celebrated former dancer and Director of the Slovak National Ballet, is a respected name in the profession. So is Raimondo Rebeck, Ballet Director of the ballet company at the Badisches Staatstheater in Karlsruhe. The panel is completed by Aliya Tanykpayeva, former principal soloist of the Hungarian National Ballet and Artistic Director of A Ballet School.
Dr Attila Simon, CEO of Herend Porcelain, one of BBGP’s key sponsors, also spoke at the press event.
Founded in 1826, Herend Porcelain Manufactory has supported Budapest Ballet Grand Prix from the very beginning, four years ago. Each year, it rewards the competition’s outstanding performers with unique porcelain creations. These include special grand prizes, vases and themed figurines, handcrafted by the world-famous manufactory.
To mark the competition, Herend presents special porcelain creations and awards each year. This year is particularly significant, as the manufactory is celebrating the 200th anniversary of its founding. Visitors to the National Dance Theatre can also admire a special exhibition of Herend porcelain works.
One of the highlights of the event was a speech by Márton Balogh, a promising young ballet dancer from the Hungarian Dance University. He has taken part in all three editions of the Budapest Ballet Grand Prix so far and is now preparing for his fourth.
Márton spoke about how the international atmosphere and the advice and insights of the world-class jury members have helped shape his career. He looks forward to the competition every year as one of the most exciting periods of his life. He has learned a great deal from the experience and, as he put it, “absolutely loves this vibrant and high-calibre international event.”
The press conference also highlighted the strong interest in the Budapest Ballet Grand Prix in Hungary, as well as abroad.
The competition opens to the public on 16 November. Tickets for the finals and the Gala are already 80% sold out, while tickets are still available for the other days. They can be purchased at bbgp.eu or through the websites of the two host venues, the National Dance Theatre and Müpa Budapest.
