GöteborgsOperans Danskompani brings works by four top choreographers to Kuopio
Cover photo: GöteborgsOperans Danskompani: Wild Poetry by Hofesh Shechter © Lennart Sjöberg
Next summer, Kuopio Dance Festival will present one of Europe’s foremost contemporary dance companies: GöteborgsOperans Danskompani. Renowned for its bold and forward-thinking productions, the company’s repertoire consists almost entirely of new works by the world’s top choreographers, created specifically for the ensemble in Gothenburg.
In Kuopio, audiences will experience works by Sharon Eyal, Hofesh Shechter, Botis Seva and Marcos Morau. The visit is especially noteworthy as Seva’s and Morau’s new creations will premiere in February 2026 — making their performances in Kuopio among the very first after their world premieres.
“This year’s main group is a company often ranked among the world’s five best contemporary dance ensembles. It is truly exceptional to bring such a high-quality and versatile programme to Kuopio — even in Gothenburg, the company’s home stage, audiences do not get to see this exact combination of works,” says the festival’s artistic director Kenneth Kvarnström.
One of today’s most sought-after international choreographers, Sharon Eyal, brings to Kuopio her powerful and intense work ima, the most personal piece of her career so far. Hofesh Shechter, whose very first choreography was presented in Kuopio at the international choreography competition held in 2003, has created for the company the energetic and vivid work Wild Poetry.
GöteborgsOperans Danskompani consists of 38 dancers representing more than 20 countries. Led by Iceland’s Katrín Hall, the ensemble is one of Europe’s best-known and most in-demand dance companies, regularly performing on major stages and festivals around the globe.
Alongside GöteborgsOperans Danskompani, the festival programme will also include audience favourites: the Kuopio Dance Festival Gala and performances by the Ballet School of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet, with more detailed programme information to be released during the spring.
GöteborgsOperans Danskompani: ima by Sharon Eyal © Tino Stengel
The whole city becomes a stage
In addition to the main programme, Kuopio Dance Festival will once again spread across the entire city with a rich and varied side programme. In the Dance Schools On Stage showcase, dance schools have the chance to perform their skills, and the Savonia Stage in the market square will present daily performances by a wide range of both dance and music groups.
The festival’s “living room”, the Dance Pavilion, will host a full schedule from morning to late evening, including seminars and evening clubs. Popular highlights from last summer — the Carnival Parade and the Dance Challenge — will also return next year. In addition, a diverse selection of dance courses will be available for all levels, from beginners to professionals.
Kuopio will once again transform into one of the Nordic region’s largest dance festivals — a unique event where the entire city becomes a stage.
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