At a press conference on Friday, Márta Fodorné Molnár, Rector of MTE, announced that applications close this week. The competition, open to dancers aged 14–24, has already attracted more than 140 entries from 22 countries, from which 80 competitors will be selected to take part.

Irén Novák, Deputy State Secretary for Arts and Community Culture at the Ministry of Culture and Innovation, noted that the strong international interest reflects the high standing of Hungarian dance and ballet. She highlighted the success of Hungarian participants in last year’s competition and said that young artists who study here help to strengthen Hungary’s international reputation in the arts.

Novák also expressed gratitude to everyone involved in nurturing young dancers — teachers, organisers, and parents — acknowledging the dedication and daily sacrifices that support children pursuing demanding artistic paths.

Rector Molnár added that the university’s long-term goal is to become a leading European dance training centre by 2030. She explained that the BBGP is open both to students in professional training and to young dancers already performing with companies. This year’s finals will again be held at the National Dance Theatre, with a Gala Awards performance on 21 November at Müpa.

Tamás Nagy, Director of the competition, announced that the jury will be chaired by Mária Aradi, former prima ballerina of the Hungarian State Opera and the Dutch National Ballet, now a respected ballet master and mentor to generations of dancers.

Other members of the international jury include:

Megan Fairchild, Principal Dancer, New York City Ballet
Kinsun Chan, Swiss-Canadian choreographer and Artistic Director, Semperoper Ballet
Jahn Magnus Johansen, Co-Director, Norwegian National Ballet and Head of its Youth Company
Mário Radačovský, former soloist with Nederlands Dans Theater and Artistic Director, National Theatre Brno Ballet.

In her welcoming address, Erika Miklósa, opera singer and President of the MOL–New Europe Foundation, the competition’s main sponsor, praised the BBGP’s rapid rise to international recognition. She also noted that 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of the Hungarian Dance University, celebrating “three quarters of a century in which knowledge and artistry have been passed from masters to students.”

She added that both the university and the foundation share a commitment to nurturing young talent — calling it “the most meaningful and beautiful investment any community can make.”

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Budapest Ballet Grand Prix