About Us

Varna – International Ballet Competition was established in 1964. Its first edition was held from 2 – 13 July at the Open-Air Theatre in the same city – the biggest sea resort of Bulgaria. It is the first professional international ballet competition in the world.

On this occasion the world-famous French ballet master Serge Lifar said:

Varna Competition is a unique event in the history of ballet, an event of huge importance…

And the great English ballet critic Mr. Arnold Haskell added:

“The Ballet Competition in Varna is a remarkable example of co-operation and friendship, of high professional requirements. In Bulgaria a remarkable creative atmosphere and a perfect organization have been established. One can speak of “the spirit of Varna” with respect to ballet on an international scale. Long live “the spirit of Varna!”.

Key phrases in the numerous statements of the members of the International Jury, for which the critics said that for the first time so many ballet stars had been brought together at one place, were: “Bulgaria is a small country with great initiative”, “great and useful work”, “conditions are created for the complete expression of young talents”.

Already with its first edition the Competition registered an impressive success both as organization and artistic achievements. Memorable have remained both the highly competent members of the International Jury under the chairmanship of the ballerina of the 20^th century Mrs. Galina Ulanova and the unforgettable dance of classical and contemporary repertoire of Vladimir Vassiliev – the only holder of the Varna Grand Prix. Thus a principally new stage in the development of international co-operation in the field of ballet art has been initiated – a wide exchange for the preservation and propagation both of the classical ballet and the artistic trends and tendencies in contemporary dance and in the first place the noble care for discovering and promoting world ballet talents.

Years later on its analogy similar events have been established in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Perm, Kazan and Yalta in Russia, Jackson and New Yorkin the USA, Osaka and Nagoya in Japan, Paris, Lausanne and Ulgat in France, in Helsinki, Budapest, Luxembourg, Kiev, Shanghai and Prague, etc. They continuously increase in number.

In the rapid growth of these events, however, the “Varna Ballet Competition”, justly called by the English ballet critic John Gregory as a title of the book issued by him, “Varna Ballet Olympiad”, has kept not only its advantage of the founder, but also the privilege of being of the highest prestige and popularity. In the course of of 50 years, its 25 editions have recorded the biggest number of competitors – over 2,500 dancers from 40 countries.

The indisputable authority of this exceptional cultural event is based on several basic distinctive factors:

• wide membership of the International Jury consisting of about 15-25 emblematic world ballet figures from at least 12 countries;
• a highly professional competition programme. In complexity and volume it definitely exceeds, in some cases many times, the requirements of similar events in other countries. With an optimum balance and clear periodisation it comprises of three works of classical choreography and two works of contemporary choreography. This gives a chance for full, comprehensive and creative display of the dancers by different stylistic and artistic tasks.

A strict organization which recognizes the age of the participants. Seniors and juniors are judged individually and awarded separate prizes. All activities during the out of the competition are regulated by pre-announced regulations, whereby the relevant schedule is strictly adhered to. Maximum efforts are exerted to ensure adequate rehearsals in halls specially equipped for the purpose and on the stage of the Open-Air Theatre.

Professor Emil Dimitrov‘s activities in the second half of the 20^th century have had considerable impact on the development and establishment of the Bulgarian ballet’s international prestige, most notably with the organization of the biannual Varna International Ballet Competition and the artistic event “Anastas Petrov”.

After obtaining two master degrees from the Bulgarian State Conservatory “Pancho Vladigerov” – one in musical pedagogy (1951) and one in directing (1954) – Emil Dimitrov went on to enjoy a successful musical career. As director of the State Symphonic Orchestra in Pernik (1954-1957), he conducted over 60 concerts and wrote a similar number of published essays; for 23 years he was also lecturer in musical analysis at theBulgarian State Conservatory “Pancho Vladigerov” (1966-1989) and Associate Professor since 1981. As head of the departments “Opera Theatres” (1961-1964) and “International Competitions” (1964-1969) within the Ministry of Culture, Emil Dimitrov participated in the organization of the first 6 editions of the International Competition for Young Opera Singers (1961- 1976), which contributed to the recognition of a number of opera stars from Europe, Asia and America.

Emil Dimitrov was also one of the founders and directors of the two editions of the International Competition for Luthiers, the first one in Sofia (1983) and the second one in Kazanlak (1987).

In 1964, Emil Dimitrov became Director of the first Varna International Ballet Competition which opened a new era in the discovery and promotion of young ballet talents worldwide and which for 48 years has been contributing to the rise of a constellation of ballet stars from all over the world. The greatest contribution of Varna International Ballet Competition has been to make Bulgaria actively a part of the world ballet scene. The Varna Competition has become a model in terms of the regulations and manner of holding the event that has been imitated by other international ballet competitions in Russia, the USA, Japan, Finland and France.

Since the founding of Varna International Ballet Competition, Emil Dimitrov’s interest in ballet gradually prevailed over all his other interests and in addition to the Competition he focused on other initiatives linked with ballet. Concurrently with the Competition, he also organized the International Summer Ballet Academy (since 1977), the International Ballet Teachers Seminar (1979) and a number of international symposia on issues relevant to classical and contemporary choreography.

Among those, the International Summer Ballet Academy is the most significant, as it allows young dancers to be taught by world famous ballet teachers from different countries, thereby adding prestige to the Competition. The combination of the two is deservedly referred to as the “Varna Summer Ballet Olympiad”.

In order to preserve the tradition, in 1992 Emil Dimitrov founded Foundation “Varna International Ballet Competition” together with others committed to the idea and remained Chairman until 2011. The main task of the Foundation is to preserve the tradition of holding the Competition and, for the past 20 years, it has taken care of the organization of the event, inclusive of funding, through sponsors from Bulgaria and abroad. Since 2004, the Ministry of Culture and Varna Municipality have been involved as co-organizers.

Another initiative of his, which received active support from UNESCO, was the establishment, in 2007 in Moscow, of a Federation of International Ballet Competitions to which Acad. Prof. Yuri Grigorovich was elected President and Emil Dimitrov its Vice President.

Thus a person with no training in ballet has, through his work, contributed not only to the development of the Bulgarian ballet school, ballet teaching and choreography but also to Bulgaria’s international recognition as an important center of ballet.

The glorious success and numerous initiatives are the result of Associate Professor Emil Dimitrov’s daily and dedicated hard work. But just how much strength and patience were required for all this went unnoticed by the non-professionals and the audience. Mr. Dimitrov was not willing to talk about it. Nothing could change his dedication to ballet. That is why he was often called the “Knight of the Ballet Competition”.

For only a Knight could work for the prestige of our country’s ballet with such outstanding determination and personal commitment for almost half a century.

The Foundation “International Ballet Competition – Varna” was set up in 1992. It continued the tradition of integral preparation and regular carrying of the competition. Outstanding contribution to its financing, which is assured by the Foundation, have also its sponsors, advertisers and donators.

President of the Foundation “International Ballet Competition – Varna” is Dimitar Dimitrov
The Foundation is a member of the Permanent Dance Committee of ITI – UNESCO and member of the International Dance Council CID of UNESCO.

Apart from “International ballet competition – Varna”, the great initiatives of the Foundation are:

• The International Summer Ballet Academy with participation of world-famous pedagogues from Bulgaria and abroad.
• The International Ballet Pedagogical Seminar for preservation and dissemination of the classical heritage
• The International Ballet Festival of the Balkan countries.
• The National Meeting-Competition of Young Ballet Dancers “A. Petrov “.
• Guest performances of Bulgarian and foreign ballet groups in Sofia.