Dancing is the loftiest, the most moving, the most beautiful of arts because it is no mere translation or abstraction from life, it is life itself.

(The Dance of Life by Havelock Ellis)

Life itself in the form of dance will flare up with all the energy of youth on the stage of the Burgas Opera House on July 4, when the International Ballet Competition "Sara-Nora Prima 2023" begins.

72 young promising ballet dancers from Bulgaria, Italy, Romania, Germany, Serbia, Cyprus, Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Greece, Russia and the USA will show their artistic mastery and crisp ballet technique. They will compete in classical and modern dance. The competition continues until July 10, when the winners' gala concert will be staged.

This is a brand new competition that is now coming to replace the oldest international ballet competition in the world, the so called Varna Olympics of Dance - Varna International Ballet Competition. Bulgaria's two largest port cities have long been rivals for the title of Maritime Capital of Bulgaria, and now, with the alternative International Ballet Competition in Burgas, the competition between them is even stronger.

Former art director of the ballet of the Sofia Opera House prima ballerina Sara-Nora Krysteva is the director and mastermind of the competition. 

"Bulgaria was the first in the world to create an international ballet competition - the one in Varna, Sara-Nora Krasteva told BTA. - It's a little known fact, but I'm really very connected to this competition because my mother, who was also a prima ballerina, was the the first dancer to perform in the first edition of the International ballet competition in Varna. I mean, she was the first contestant ever in the world to compete in such a forum. I regret immensely and I would do all in my power to help this competition continue to exist, but, unfortunately, things are more complicated," said Sara-Nora Krysteva.

Unfortunately, in 2020 the organizers of the first international competition ever called it off due to lack of funding.

The new International Ballet Competition in Burgas on the other hand is giving promises to become one of the major events in ballet. It is for professionals only. Participants must be students of ballet schools or artists with ballet companies. The competition is a chance for dancers to get noticed, and for prize winners, their participation will be a great testimonial for their future placements. Managers of the world's theatres will have the opportunity to discover their new stars in Burgas. In addition to the monetary prizes (the funding is some 18 thousand euro), the winners will be offered residencies at various ballet theatres, one-year contracts, participation in other competitions, specializations, and training at world-renowned institutions.

International jury will assess and award the winners. In the jury, are the stars of Bulgaria's National Opera House Marta Petkova, Masha Ilieva and Nikola Hadjitanev, as well as Italian choreographer Fredy Franzuti, Gregor Hatala, director of the international ballet competition Vibe in Vienna and Seoul, Kaie Kõrb - director of the ballet school in Estonia, Maria Volodina - soloist of the Bolshoi Theatre, Serbian prima ballerina Anna Pavlovic and her colleague Konstantin Kostyukov.

The event is accompanied by a Ballet Academy with master classes led by world ballet celebrities. The Academy is open to non-professionals with an advanced level of ballet proficiency.

Unlike the Varna Ballet Competition, which used to be held twice a year, the Sara-Nora Prima will be held every year. The eponymous association is supported by the Municipality of Burgas for the first edition. The patron of the First International Ballet Competition in Burgas will be the mayor of the city, Mr. Dimitar Nikolov.

Photos: Facebook/ Sofia Opera House,  Facebook/ IBC - Varna,  Facebook/ Fabienne Bettens