Opening of the Dance Art Centre in Braník and Launch of the First Publication

10. 09. 2021

The new Dance Art Centre Prague, located in the refurbished former Braník brewery, opened its premises on 1 September 2021. On the occasion of the opening ceremony, a new publication titled (Studio) Ballet Prague – The New Wave in Czechoslovak Choreography was presented, which anticipates our future activities.

Slavnostní otevření Domu tanečního umění (foto Michal Hančovský)

The Dance Art Centre opening ceremony (photo Michal Hančovský)

The listed building from the late 19th century, which has been sensitively revitalised and refurbished for this purpose, will offer – from September – modern facilities for teaching of dance and a stage for professional independent ensembles. The new venue featuring a unique genius locus will significantly contribute to the development and increased prestige of Czech dance as a genre and dance theatre in particular.

The building, which has been under reconstruction since March 2021 to date (minor construction work is still being completed), provides a suitable spatial layout. From the new academic year/season 2021/22, the Dance Art Centre Prague will be home to the Prague Dance Centre, the Conservatory and Secondary Grammar School, the Prague Chamber Ballet, Ballet Prague Junior, Baby Ballet Prague, the International Dance Centre agency and foundation, and the newly established Pavel Šmok Endowment Fund and Institute. It goes without saying that Terpsichore (the conservatory prep school) and community activities for children and general public will find their place there, too.

The opening ceremony on 1 September was attended by the Minister of Culture, Lubomír Zaorálek, and a number of guests from the world of dance and culture. The Prague Chamber Ballet, Ballet Prague Junior and Baby Ballet Prague performed in one of the newly reconstructed dance halls, where the publication titled (Studio) Ballet Prague – The New Wave in Czechoslovak Choreography was also presented. The book, published by the Pavel Šmok Endowment Fund and Institute, was written by dance historian and theoretician Lucie Kocourková. Actress and dubbing artist Nela Boudová hosted the official launch of the new publication.

A photo report from the event is available below (photo Michal Hančovský):