Following 16 successful national competitions of young dance performers, last year we expanded the event to the international level. Open to dancers born between 1986 and 2001 (3 age groups)

The aim of the competition is to promote contemporary dance and discover fresh talents from all over the world.

The 2nd International Competition of Young Dance Performers (Celje, Slovenian National Theatre Celje, 13th June at 5 pm) is open to dancers born between 1986 and 2001:

· Original dance piece/solo dance piece which is both conceived and choreographed by the performing dancer

· Choreography for one or two performing dancers. The piece can be choreographed by one person or authorship can be shared.

The organiser of the competition publishes a topic every year that the young dance performers must use as a basis for their short dance piece.

TOPIC: Pina Bausch, Merce Cunningham and Michael Jackson

The topic for OPUS 1 – short dance piece 2010 is unavoidable as the summer of this year saw the departure of three great people, who were very important for dance – Pina Bausch, Merce Cunningham and Michael Jackson.

Your task is to study these important artists and their work and approach the topic in your own way. In memory of them!

Age groups and lengths of short dance pieces:
Group A (born between 1998 and 2001) – maximum 2 minutes;
Group B (born between 1994 and 1997) – maximum 2.5 minutes;
Group C (born between 1986 and 1993) – maximum 3.5 minutes

The jury is composed from three renowned international dance experts.

The prizes shall be awarded for the best short dance piece (group A: EUR 200, group B: EUR 400, group C: EUR 800); the best concept (group A: EUR 100, group B: EUR 200, group C: EUR 400); and the best dance performance (group A: EUR 100, group B: EUR 200, group C: EUR 400).

The deadline for applications is 31st March 2010.

The application form must be sent to: Republic of Slovenia Public Fund for Cultural Activities, for “OPUS 1”, Štefanova 5, PO Box 1699, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia, by 31st March 2010 or be in the mail on that day at the latest. Please note that participation will only be possible if a correctly filled out application form that includes a description of the piece’s concept and a video of the short dance piece on a DVD are sent on time.

The jury will select the competitors on the basis of the received videos of the pieces. The selection shall be published on the www.jskd.si website by 16th April 2010 at the latest.

The selected competitors shall also be notified individually.

Please make sure that you read the rules and instructions and follow them to the letter.

More information, photographs and videos of previous national competitions can be seen at: http://www.jskd.si

General information and contacts:
Republic of Slovenia Public Fund for Cultural Activities (JSKD)
Štefanova 5, PO Box 1699, 1000 Ljubljana
Nina Meško, head of dance department
Tel.: 00 386 (0)1 24 10 522
Fax: 00 386 (0)1 24 10 510
E-mail: nina.mesko@jskd.si