György Youri Vámos
Head of Jury
Mr Vámos, ballet dancer, choreographer, and director celebrated for his innovative reinterpretations of classical ballets, is known for reimagining works such as Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Romeo and Juliet, he brings fresh narrative depth while preserving their emotional power.
Born in Budapest in 1946, Vámos trained at the Hungarian State Ballet Institute and later became one of Europe’s leading figures in narrative ballet. Throughout his career, Vámos has held leading artistic positions with several major European ballet companies, including serving as artistic director of the Deutsche Oper am Rhein and the Ballett Basel.
Since 2001, he has been Honorary Professor at the Dance Academy Budapest and has received numerous honors, including the Order of Merit of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Hungarian Knight’s Cross.
Widely recognized as an outstanding ballet storyteller, Youri continues to inspire generations through his artistic vision.
Vladimir Malakhov
Professor at Beijing Dance Academy, former Artistic Director of the Berlin State Ballet, Ukrainian-born ballet dancer and artistic director, widely regarded as one of the leading male dancers of his generation.
He was born on January 7, 1968, in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine (then part of the Soviet Union). Malakhov trained at the prestigious Bolshoi Ballet School in Moscow, where he quickly distinguished himself with his exceptional technique, expressive artistry, and refined stage presence.
He rose to international fame as a principal dancer with major companies such as the Vienna State Opera Ballet and American Ballet Theatre. Known for his versatility, Malakhov excelled in both classical roles—like Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake and Albrecht in Giselle—and contemporary works.
Later in his career, he served as the artistic director of the Berlin State Ballet (Staatsballett Berlin) from 2004 to 2014, where he played a key role in shaping the company’s repertoire and international reputation.
Throughout his career, Malakhov has been celebrated for his elegance, emotional depth, and dedication to the art of ballet.
Nina Plákova
Director of the Slovak National Ballet
Nina was born in Trnava, Slovakia. She graduated from the Eva Jaczova Dance Conservatory in Bratislava under the direction of Klára Škodová and Rafael Avnikjan. During her studies she became a soloist of the Slovak National Theatre Ballet, where before and after her graduation she performed leading roles in the ballets La Bayadère, Giselle, Le Corsaire, Swan Lake and Spartacus.
In 2005 she joined the Vienna State Ballet, where she has held the position of principal dancer, mainly under the direction of Manuel Legris. She has appeared in the lead roles of masterpieces of the classical and neoclassical repertoire.
Her most notable awards include…
- 2024 Pribina Cross of the First Class by the President of the Slovak Republic
- 2020 Award of the Minister of Culture of the Slovak Republic
- 2018 Award of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic “Goodwill Envoy” and many others.
- From February 2021 she is the Director of the Slovak National Ballet.
Raimondo Rebeck
Ballet Director of the State Ballet Karlsruhe at the Badisches Staatstheater
Raimondo Rebeck was born in Berlin, where he received his training at the State Ballet School Berlin. He danced as a Principal Soloist with the companies of the Berlin State Opera and the Deutsche Oper Berlin.
From 2004 to 2008, he served as Deputy Ballet Director and Principal Ballet Master at the Aalto Ballet Theatre Essen, and from 2011 onward at Ballet Dortmund, where he also became the Artistic Director of the NRW Junior Ballet Dortmund in 2014.
Starting in the 2024/25 season, he serves as the Ballet Director of the State Ballet Karlsruhe at the Badisches Staatstheater.
