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Co-OPERAtive - FEDORA 10 Years - Winner of the FEDORA - Prize for Education 2019 © i
Spotlight on FEDORA Prize Winners & Nominees
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05 February 2026
Winners, Industry News
FEDORA proudly highlights two outstanding success stories from its network, exemplifying the long-term impact of artistic excellence, leadership, and sustained support in European dance.
Hofesh Shechter Appointed Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
Choreographer Hofesh Shechter has been named Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture, Hélène Tréheux-Duchêne. The distinction honours his career of artistic innovation, international influence, and strong ties with France through creation, collaboration, and leadership.
Hofesh Shechter Company was also awarded the FEDORA – VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Prize for Ballet 2020 for LIGHT: Bach dances (working title), which premiered at the Royal Danish Theatre from 30 April to 15 May 2021 and will continue on a European tour.
The FEDORA Ballet Prize is supported by Van Cleef & Arpels, in collaboration with Opera Europa, and the FEDORA Prizes competition is co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Commission.
Women in Classical Music and Dance: Insights from Bachtrack 2025
The Bachtrack Classical Music Statistics 2025 highlight trends in gender representation in classical music and dance programming worldwide. In dance, Blanca Li was the most programmed woman choreographer in 2025, ranking sixth overall, and was nominated for the FEDORA Digital Prize 2025 for Do the Dance, an interactive mixed- and virtual-reality project developed with the Paris National Opera. Crystal Pite and Sharon Eyal were among the top 20 most programmed choreographers worldwide; Eyal won the FEDORA – VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Dance Prize 2017 for Love Chapter 2, and Pite was shortlisted for the FEDORA – VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Prize for Ballet 2018 for 60, a collaborative work with Nederlands Dans Theater. In music, the late Kaija Saariaho remains among the five most performed female composers worldwide and was shortlisted for the FEDORA – GENERALI Opera Prize 2020 for her opera Innocence, premiered at the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence.
© Opéra Orchestre National Montpellier i
Franciska Éry Awarded the Carmen Mateu Young Artist European Award 2025
Stage director Franciska Éry has been awarded the Carmen Mateu Young Artist European Award 2025 for A Bathroom Opera, an immersive opera project connecting young audiences with music, image, and participation.
Éry was previously recognised by FEDORA when her interactive opera SÉISME was nominated for the FEDORA Digital Prize 2022, a project blending music, poetry, AI, and audience interaction. She has built an international career across leading European institutions, including the Royal Opera House, Opera Holland Park, and Montpellier National Opera.
The award celebrates Éry’s multidisciplinary vision and growing impact on contemporary opera and educational projects across Europe.
© Jan Willem Kaldenbach (1) Altin Kaftira (2) i
Ted Brandsen and Alexei Ratmansky appointed Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres
FEDORA proudly celebrates Ted Brandsen and Alexei Ratmansky, appointed Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture.
This prestigious distinction recognises outstanding artistic achievement and international cultural impact.
Ted Brandsen, Director and Choreographer of Dutch National Ballet and FEDORA
– VAN CLEEF & ARPELS
Dance Prize Jury Member 2018, is honoured for his artistic leadership.
Alexei Ratmansky receives this recognition following a career that has profoundly shaped contemporary ballet.
His FEDORA journey began in 2015, when Sleeping Beauty received the FEDORA – VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Prize for Ballet.
© MARC COUDRAIS i
Christian Rizzo Shines in EDF Foundation’s “Dans(e) la lumière” with New Choreographic Creation
FEDORA highlighted Christian Rizzo, winner of the FEDORA – VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Prize for Ballet 2016 for Le Syndrome Ian, during his participation in the Dans(e) la lumière programme at the Fondation groupe EDF, which ran until 31 January 2026.
For this edition, Rizzo presented 100% polyester, objet dansant, a collaboration with visual artist Caty Olive that blended dance, costume, sound, and light into an immersive, site-specific experience.
The FEDORA – VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Dance Prize is supported by Van Cleef & Arpels, in collaboration with Opera Europa, and co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme.
© Kor'sia i
Kor’sia’s Mont Ventoux Enthrals Antwerp
In November 2025, the Spanish–Italian collective Kor’sia made its long-awaited debut at DE SINGEL with Mont Ventoux, winner of the FEDORA – VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Dance Prize 2023.
Presented on 14 and 15 November as part of the EUROPALIA España Festival, both performances were completely sold out.
Inspired by Francesco Petrarch’s ascent of Mont Ventoux, choreographers Mattia Russo and Antonio de Rosa offered a powerful reflection on humanity, nature, and transformation.
The FEDORA – VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Dance Prize is supported by Van Cleef & Arpels, in collaboration with Opera Europa, and co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme.
Sharon Eyal’s Delay the Sadness at La Villette
On 27 November 2025, the FEDORA team and Board experienced Delay the Sadness, the latest creation by Sharon Eyal and Gai Behar, presented with their company S-E-D at La Villette.
Performed by eight dancers, the piece unfolded as a hypnotic exploration of collective energy, shifting seamlessly between individual focus and group flow.
Delay the Sadness confirmed Sharon Eyal’s distinctive choreographic language, marked by trance-like precision, tension, and release.
Sharon Eyal is also the choreographer of Love Chapter 2, winner of the FEDORA – VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Dance Prize 2017. The FEDORA – VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Dance Prize is supported by Van Cleef & Arpels, in collaboration with Opera Europa, and co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme.
© Joan Porcel Pascual i
FEDORA Audience Award Winners Recognised as Femmes de Culture
FEDORA proudly celebrated the recognition of two representatives of the FEDORA Audience Award 2019 Winner Touche le Ciel – Dance & New Technologies as Femmes de Culture.
Orianne Vilmer, President of La Fabrique de la Danse, was honoured in 2024, followed in 2025 by Christine Bastin, Artistic Director and choreographer.
The distinction, under the patronage of the Ministère de la Culture, recognises their outstanding commitment to artistic leadership, education, and the empowerment of young audiences through dance.
© Compagnie ECO i
Yallah Danse! Celebrates a Powerful Cross-Mediterranean Debut
On 12 November 2025, Yallah Danse!, winner of the FEDORA Education Prize 2025, made its debut at Théâtre Léo Ferré, marking a major step in cultural collaboration between Algeria, France, and Italy.
Led by Compagnie ECO and choreographer Emilio Calcagno, the project empowered young Algerian dancers through training, creation, and exchange. The premiere highlighted how dance can bridge cultures, amplify new voices, and build lasting artistic connections.
© Lea Maienberg i
Ted Huffman Appointed General Director of the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence
FEDORA warmly congratulated Ted Huffman, former FEDORA Prize Winner, on his appointment as General Director of the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, effective 1 January 2026.
Huffman was part of the artistic team behind Denis & Katya, winner of the FEDORA – GENERALI Prize for Opera 2019. He succeeds the late Pierre Audi, and will continue the Festival’s strong commitment to innovation and emerging artists. FEDORA looks forward to supporting this new chapter.
© Rahi Rezvani i
Nederlands Dans Theater and S-E-D Win Swan Award 2025
The dancers of Nederlands Dans Theater and S-E-D Sharon Eyal Dance received the Swan Award 2025 for “Most Impressive Dance Achievement” for Into the Hairy, presented at the Nederlandse Dansdagen Gala on 3 October in Maastricht.
Choreographer Sharon Eyal and producer Gai Behar led this collaboration, showcasing a distinct artistic language that continues to redefine contemporary dance. Eyal, winner of the FEDORA – VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Dance Prize 2017 for Love Chapter 2, once again captivated audiences with her emotionally charged work.
Sharon Eyal Honoured at Les Éloges for Vers la Mort
Sharon Eyal, winner
of the FEDORA – VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Dance Prize 2017, was recognised at Les Éloges for her work Vers la Mort, celebrating her outstanding contribution to contemporary dance and her innovative choreographic approach.
Annabelle Lopez Ochoa at the Paris Opera Season Opening Gala
On 27 September, FEDORA attended the season-opening Ballet Gala of the Paris National Opera alongside members of its community.
The evening celebrated creativity and artistic excellence, featuring performances by the Ballet de l’Opéra national de Paris, students of the École de Danse, and the Junior Ballet.
A highlight of the gala was the Paris Opera debut of Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Requiem for a Rose, presented at the Palais Garnier.
It was particularly meaningful to see her work celebrated on this prestigious stage, as her creation Gentleman Jack is the winner of the FEDORA – VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Dance Prize 2025.
© Michael Skelton i
Alex Ho Presents Ye Xian: A Story Untold
Composer Alex Ho, winner of the FEDORA Opera Prize 2023, recently unveiled Ye Xian: A Story Untold, a new concert staging of his award-winning work Here and There – Untold.
Inspired by the Chinese folk tale that predates Cinderella, the piece blended contemporary composition with Chinese musical traditions and personal narratives, exploring identity, belonging, and diasporic experience.
The FEDORA Opera Prize is supported by The Silver Company, in collaboration with Opera Europa, and co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Commission.
The Sound Voice Project Nominated for the Sky Arts Awards 2025
The Sound Voice Project, winner of the FEDORA Digital Prize 2023, has been nominated for the Sky Arts Awards 2025.
Created by composer Hannah Conway with librettist Hazel Gould, video designer Luke Halls, and sound designer David Sheppard, the immersive digital-opera installation explored voice, identity, and community through technology and lived experience.
The FEDORA Digital Prize is sponsored by Kearney in collaboration with IMZ International Music + Media Centre, and co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Commission.
