Prix Benois de la Danse


The Benois de la Danse is one of the most prestigious ballet competitions. Founded by the International Dance Association in Moscow in 1991, it takes place each year on or around April 29 and is jury-based in its judging. The members of this jury change every year and consists of only top ballet personages.
Statuettes are given to the winners in the categories of lifelong achievement, ballerina, danseur, choreographer, composer and designer.
The Benois de la Danse earns a cash prize of $1,000,000, as well as exceptional events occurring during the previous year on stages around the world. These include dancing roles of all kinds as well as choreographic accomplishments.

History

The idea for the Benois de la Danse was initiated in Moscow and the founders succeeded in obtaining the patronage of UNESCO in the autumn of 1992. Its scheduling at the end of April is meant to coincide with the birthday of the great Alexandre Benois for whom it is named.
French sculptor Igor Ustinov designed the statuette of the Benois de la Danse award in 1992. He is the son of the famous actor Peter Ustinov, a great-nephew of Alexandre Benois.

Goals of competition

Composers

Ballerinas

Danseurs

Choreographers

By categories

NumberCountry
23
21
16
11
9
6
2

1


NumberCountryLaureate's company
16Paris Opera Ballet
10Bolshoi Ballet
8Mariinsky Ballet
7Hamburg Ballet
7Royal ballet
5American Ballet Theatre
4Dutch National Ballet
3Nederlands Dans Theatre
3Stuttgart Ballet
2National Ballet of Cuba
2Ballet National de Marseille
2Ballets de Monte Carlo

NumberCountryMain training school
20Paris Opera Ballet School
12Bolshoi Ballet Academy
9Vaganova Academy
5Royal Ballet School
4Víctor Ullate School of Danse
3Kiev State Ballet School
2La Scala Theatre Ballet School
2School of American Ballet
2École supérieure de danse de Cannes Rosella Hightower
2Hamburg Ballet School

Footnotes