The Prix de Lausanne has always been the crystal ball of ballet—a glimpse into who will be pirouetting across the world's greatest stages in the coming decade. This year's Young Creation Award, however, felt different. It wasn't just about technical perfection (though, my goodness, the technique was there); it was about a palpable shift in what the next generation values.
What struck me most wasn't a single variation, but a collective ethos. The winners showcased a breathtaking blend of classical rigor with a fearless, contemporary voice. We saw dancers who treated their épaulement with the same reverence as a 32-fouetté sequence, but who also weren't afraid to deconstruct a port de bras to serve a story. The line between "classical" and "contemporary" candidate is blurring, and frankly, it's exhilarating. These artists aren't choosing a lane; they're building a new highway.
The emotional intelligence on display was staggering. In years past, you could sometimes see the cogs turning—"arabesque, spot, smile." This year, the performance quality was seamless. The emotion originated from a deep, musical understanding and radiated outward, making even the most familiar variations feel newly discovered. It was a masterclass in authenticity over affectation.
A quiet but powerful trend? The celebration of unique physicality. The cookie-cutter ballet body is becoming a relic. Instead, we saw powerhouses with astonishing jump height alongside dancers with hyper-expressive, lyrical port de bras. The standard is no longer a single look, but a compelling and efficient instrument for artistic expression. This is progress, pure and simple.
The Young Creation Award has always identified stars, but the class of 2026 feels like a movement. They are technically formidable, intellectually curious, and artistically brave. They respect the foundation of the art form while actively expanding its walls.
To the winners: you didn't just perform; you made a statement. You showed us that the future of ballet is versatile, emotionally rich, and brilliantly unpredictable. The stage is yours. We are watching, and we are in awe.
The bar has not just been raised; it's been reimagined. And I, for one, cannot wait to see what comes next.
