The 9th International Dance Theatre Festival is just around the corner and we are very pleased to finally be able to present contemporary dance again in the state capital Erfurt. Our festival offer this year will be the most extensive so far since its existence in 2008. In addition to dance performances, cinema, photo exhibition and workshops, we also organize the Bundesnetwerktreffen Tanz.

We are very pleased that we were able to win the Theater Erfurt as a venue and the Kinklub Erfurt as a cooperation partner for an accompanying cinema program. I would like to address a heartfelt thank you to our Minister of Culture Prof. Dr. Benjamin Immanuel Hoff, who has taken over the patronage of our dance theatre festival. With his support, he sets an important sign for the promotion of culture and dance theatre in our society.

Exchange, diversity and choice are concepts that characterize our festival this year. We want to promote the exchange between artists, audiences and professionals and thus create new impulses for the dance scene. Under the artistic direction of Ester Ambrosino, our festival team has once again set out in search of cultural highlights in contemporary dance.

The variety of performances reflects the colorful and international dance landscape, culminating in our dance competition “contact.energy’24”, in which up to ten choreographers dance for the benefit of the jury and the audience. Through the many choices in the program and even during the performances – as in “Your Choice” – we offer you the opportunity to create your very own festival experience. Our festival also serves as a networking platform to strengthen existing connections and make new contacts that enrich the dance culture in our region and beyond.

I would be very pleased if the diversity of our offer convinces you. We look forward to your visit and welcome you all.

I would like to thank all our partners and sponsors, the festival team, the artists and all the helpers, without whom this festival would not be possible.