As the Budapest Ballet Grand Prix returned for its third edition, Hungarian Dance University emerged as the event’s driving force — showcasing international talent, celebrating artistic excellence, and reinforcing its position as one of Europe’s leading centres for dance education.
Photos by Adrienne Horváth
Budapest has once again become the centre of the ballet world: the 3rd Budapest Ballet Grand Prix received more than 150 registrations from 24 countries this year, from which a professional committee selected 80 competitors in the preliminary round.
The competition served as the closing event of the 75–day anniversary programme series of the 75–year–old Hungarian Dance University. Hungarian news portal Index interviewed the university’s rector Márta-Fodor Molnár about the competition.
The 3rd Budapest Ballet Grand Prix was accompanied by praise highlighting the power and purity of art, including opera singer Erika Miklósa’s reflections on how the event showcased true talent and created a magical, uplifting atmosphere.
Hungarian Dance University played a central role in the competition: Márta-Fodor Molnár emphasized the deep connection and mutual admiration between ballet and opera. The university’s students – especially the many Japanese dancers – represented their institution with outstanding skill and dedication, further strengthening its international reputation. The jury also spoke highly of the competition’s artistic level and the performers’ achievements, affirming both the university’s educational excellence and the strength of Hungarian dance artistry.
The competition’s jury consisted of internationally renowned professionals who offered young dancers practical guidance, expert feedback, and opportunities such as scholarships, workshops, and masterclasses. Hungarian Dance University also supported the talents with its own scholarships, and the event allowed it to present its diverse training structure: in addition to classical and modern ballet, the university offers folk dance, theatrical dance, as well as dance pedagogy and therapeutic pathways.
The jury singled out the exceptional level of Hungarian folk dance education, which is unique even by global standards. According to Fodor-Molnár Márta, the Budapest Ballet Grand Prix is a key tool in positioning the university as one of Europe’s leading dance education institutions, helping spread the good reputation of the university, Hungarian dance culture, and Hungarian artistic excellence worldwide.
