CRACOVIA DANZA BALLET
MUNICIPIAL INSTITUTION OF CULTURE

For many years now the Cracovia Danza Court Ballet has worked on the re-creation of traditional court dances and ballets of different countries and periods, in effect producing dance performances spanning the periods from the Middle Ages to modern times. The performances feature choreographies, costumes, music and courtly etiquette inscribed into the dramaturgy of the performance, all of which refer to the traditions and history of dance theatre in Europe.
The group also specializes in the reconstruction of traditional Polish dances through the creation of unique performances based on compositions and forms of national and folk dances of different periods. Thanks to cooperation with high-ranking choreographers and specialists in many domains of dance, the Balletâs performances comprise an exceptionally rich, varied and ingenious array.
The groupâs repertoire includes the following performances: âDances and Entertainments of the Middle Agesâ; âChessâ based on a poem by J. Kochanowski; âThe Judgement of Parisâ based on a play by J. Locher; âSobieski and Marie Casimireâ; âBallet des Nationsâ; âChopinâs Dance Worldâ; âAt the Old Cinemaâ; âPoland â India: Conversationsâ.
Performances connected with the history and traditions of the Royal City of Krakow hold a special place in the Balletâs repertoire, including âThe Legend of Queen Jadwigaâ based on a story by L. Rydel, âQueen Bonaâs Masqueradeâ, âAlla Polacca â Old Polish Dances in Vignettesâ.
The Cracovia Danza Court Ballet is recognized both in Poland and abroad. It participates in prestigious opera and ballet productions as well as cultural projects. Over the years it has collaborated with, amongst others, the Grand Theatre â National Opera in Warsaw; the Warsaw Chamber Opera; the Royal Castles in Krakow, Warsaw and NiepoĆomice; Margrave's Opera House in Bayreuth; the Palaces (Museums) in WilanĂłw and NieborĂłw; the Philharmonic Orchestras of Warsaw, Krakow and ĆĂłdĆș; the National and Historical Museums in Krakow; as well as various Music Academies and Polish Institutes.
Besides its artistic activities, the Ballet also pursues its other primary mission which is educational work for all age groups. Teaching the history of dance is carried out through workshops, conferences, publications, lectures and thematic exhibitions.
The majority of the Cracovia Danza Court Balletâs performances and artistic undertakings is accomplished in collaboration with distinguished instrumentalists and renowned Early Music Ensembles, such as: âThe Spirit of Gamboâ (Hanover, Germany), âIl Tempoâ (Warsaw, Poland), âLe Concert de lâHostel Dieuâ (Lyon, France), âLa Grande Ecurie Et La Chambre De Royâ (France), âRicercar Consortâ (Brussels, Belgium), âCollegium Marianumâ (Prague, Czech Republic), âArs Cantusâ (WrocĆaw, Poland), âUnited Continuo Serviceâ (Germany), âIntradaâ (Krakow, Poland) and Maria Pomianowska with her Ensemble (Warsaw, Poland).
The Cracovia Danza Court Ballet, together with the Ardente Sole Foundation and the Villa Decius Association, is a co-organizer of the Cracovia Danza Court Dance Festival. This event, already well-established on Krakowâs calendar of cultural events, is held annually in the capital of the MaĆopolska region at the turn of July and August.
Through its artistic and educational work, the Cracovia Danza Court Ballet acts as a unique ambassador of Polish art and culture on a global scale.
1. The creation and staging of ballet performances connected with the history and traditions of Poland, and especially Krakow.
2. Bringing Polish and foreign audiences closer to Polish dance art by reaching into ballet repertoires of the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the Baroque.
3. The development of cooperation and exchange with valued dancers and choreographers from Poland and abroad.
4. Cooperation and exchange with other dance ensembles by enabling their presentations, and through the organization of meetings and workshops for dancers and everyone who holds an interest in the subject.
5. The diffusion of knowledge about dance through the organization of seminars, meetings, and discussions, as well as exhibitions connected with the art of dance and the history of costumes.
6. The publishing of informative and educational publications connected with dance.
7. Educational activities:
a) running regular classes, the preparation of special programmes and choreographies for childrenâs and youth ensembles;
b) training instructors of childrenâs and youth dance ensembles;
c) teaching classes connected with the history of dance and the presentation of historical costumes of different periods.
8. Conducting research into the history of dance and ballet, recreating repertoires of Polish ballets and dances of different periods.