Press Release: "Pavel Šmok Inspiring" – Discussion with Petr Zuska as Part of the Series "Wandering through Dance History"

On Thursday, June 2, 2022, at 3 p.m., the second discussion in the series Wandering through Dance History, organized by the Pavel Šmok Study and Research Center, will take place at the Dance Art Centre in Braník. The guest of the discussion entitled “Pavel Šmok Inspiring” will be Petr Zuska, dancer and choreographer, former long-time head of the National Theatre Ballet, who is currently the resident choreographer of the Prague Chamber Ballet. It was at the PKB that Zuska presented one of his first choreographies more than twenty years ago.

The activities of the Pavel Šmok Foundation and Institute focus on promoting and reviving the legacy of Pavel Šmok, a prominent figure in Czech choreography who had a fundamental influence on the development of dance art in the second half of the 20th century, among other things through public screenings and lectures. “As part of the Institute’s various activities, we are also preparing meetings and interviews with guests and eyewitnesses. These will mostly be dancers or choreographers who worked with Pavel Šmok, whether they are members of the Prague Ballet, the Prague Chamber Ballet, or choreographers whom he influenced as a colleague or teacher,” explains Lucie Kocourková, dance historian and publicist, coordinator of the activities of the Pavel Šmok Institute. “We will alternate guests and periods. Petr Zuska will reminisce about Pavel Šmok during the era of the Prague Chamber Ballet, and in the first week of September we will talk about Šmok’s work in Basel with the director of the Prague Dance Conservatory, Jaroslav Slavický, and his wife Kateřina.”

How did meeting Pavel Šmok influence Zuska’s view of creation? What does he consider timeless in Šmok’s work? How does he continue his legacy in the current ensemble? Come to Thursday’s meeting with a prominent figure in contemporary dance theater. There will, of course, be time for questions from the audience.

Dance historian Lucie Kocourková will guide us through a series of lectures, discussions, and screenings on the history of the Studio Ballet Prague and Prague Chamber Ballet dance companies and their founding members.

“Pavel Šmok Inspiring”

When: June 2, 2022, at 3:00 p.m.

Where: Pavel Šmok Foundation and Institute, House of Dance Art, Údolní 212/1, Prague 4 – Braník

Guest: Petr Zuska

Admission: CZK 50

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Media contact:

Mgr. Johana Mravcová

tel: +420 605 751 290

e-mail: mravcova@balet-praha.cz