Czech dance festival Tanec Praha kicks off diverse 2024 program

The 36th edition of Tanec Praha, Prague's international festival of contemporary dance and movement theater, will take place from June 2 to 27 across several venues in Prague and over 20 cities and towns in the Czech Republic. The year's program promises a diverse range of experiences from top international acts.

Audiences can look forward to performances by artists from around the world, including Africa, Iceland, Brazil, Norway, Portugal, and Ukraine. Czech artists will also showcase their work, with several premieres scheduled. The festival is designed for all ages, and even includes a production called Rock Me Baby, suitable for children from infancy.

A significant theme at this year's Tanec Praha festival is diversity, with performances addressing menopause, nudity, and the queer community.

The festival opens on Sunday, June 2 at the National Theatre’s New Stage with Encantado from Brazilian dance icon Lia Rodrigues. This performance, featuring nudity and vibrant energy, marks Rodrigues' Prague debut after five years of anticipation.

This year’s program also includes the Czech premiere of Fairy Tales by the internationally acclaimed Pocketart collective, featuring eight dancers and live music on June 4 at Ponec Theatre.

The festival will also feature the premiere of Vivat Messi by Spitfire Company on June 19 at Hybernia Palace, which is highlighted by a performance by Czech freestyle football champion Daniel Pražák.

Family-friendly performances are in the spotlight this year, with the expressive Chotto Desh by Akram Khan (pictured at top) on June 20 and 21 at Archa Theatre, and the Norwegian show Rock Me Baby on June 6 at Ponec Theatre. The festival will also present works from Ukraine and Africa, showcasing a rich tapestry of dance styles and cultural narratives.

The festival concludes on June 26 and 27 at Ponec Theatre with Erica Zueneli’s Landfall, a dynamic piece featuring ten dancers exploring themes of identity and future possibilities. The performers' diverse backgrounds ensure that the audience can relate to them, highlighting the power of collaboration despite differences.

The festival also extends beyond Prague, visiting over 20 locations across the Czech Republic. Audiences can enjoy a variety of performances in Pilsen, Brno, Jihlava, Ostrava, Pardubice, and other cities.

For more information and tickets to this year's festival, visit the official website of Tanec Praha.