Since its creation in 2002, the Burgos & New York International Choreography Contest has been a platform for promoting dance and new languages of movement. It is also a space for creative encounter and dialogue where diverse perspectives converge. Every year, it welcomes choreographers from around the world to a competition that is unique in our country and develops an extensive program of community activities that bring creation closer to the region and its audiences.
Organized by CIDANZ Producciones - Ballet Contemporáneo de Burgos in collaboration with the Municipal Department of Culture and Tourism of the City Council of Burgos, the Ministry of Culture, the Regional Government of Castile and León, and under the direction of choreographer Alberto Estébanez, the Burgos & New York Competition promotes the art of choreography and the creative values that inspire 21st-century dance. This event, which brings together a prestigious jury every year, makes Burgos a special showcase for the latest choreographic proposals and trends.
The competition has always maintained the characteristics that have defined its identity from the outset, defending the profile of the “creator” who, in an outstanding way, is capable of contributing to dance lines of work, research, and development that promote the development and evolution of the arts of movement. Only in this way can the winner (whether new or established) be justified in receiving the significant financial award and having their work included among the great world creators in the competition's list of winners.
The competition also maintains a clear commitment to dance in unconventional spaces through two distinct competitions: ‘Bailando con piedras’ (Dancing with Stones) and ‘Danza en el Camino’ (Dance on Camino de Santiago). The latter section proposes a reinterpretation of cultural and historical heritage through a selection of pieces inspired by the Camino de Santiago as it passes through various autonomous communities in Spain.
The festival also focuses on ‘Urban Art’ with two competitions: ‘Street Art–Muralism’ and ‘Burgos T-Mueve’, which are essential vehicles for bringing all forms of dance and contemporary creation to young people and a space for attracting and retaining new audiences.
Network of alliances and parallel activities
The festival also maintains important national and international collaborations and links that allow the winning works to be shown in a framework of cooperation and work opportunities for the selected choreographers. It is not surprising that reference brands such as Harlequin Floors, a world leader in dance floors, offers its linoleum to ensure maximum professionalism and safety for the performers on stage.
These five competitions are accompanied by the international course of choreography and dance 'International Summer Dance in Burgos', exhibitions, video-dance, conferences, free workshops or expanded actions in inclusive dance key. And, of course, it is a meeting place where artists and the public coincide making the philosophy of this competition capital:
«Dance, the backbone in the exchange of emotions, ideas and resources of performing art capable of linking love between cultures and peoples»
"25 Years of Showcasing Talent"
In 2026, the Burgos & New York International Choreography Competition celebrates twenty-five years of discovering creators, supporting new voices and establishing Burgos as a meeting point for international contemporary dance. Reaching this milestone has meant growing, evolving and continuing to believe in the extraordinary human capacity to create. Many of the choreographers and dancers who have appeared on our stage began journeys here that later continued in theatres, festivals and companies around the world.
This commemorative edition looks back without ceasing to move forward. We will celebrate all that has been achieved, welcome those who are still to come and reserve an intimate space for the memory of those who are no longer with us, but remain part of our story. Twenty-five years may seem like a fleeting moment, yet they contain a lifetime of effort, encounters and shared dreams. In our case, they have also shaped a team that, far beyond the work itself, has become a family united by commitment, affection and dance.
I invite you to discover this story and to continue dancing with us.
Alberto Estébanez
Artistic Director of the Competition
Location
Contact
DIRECTOR: Alberto Esbébanez
PRODUCTION: Sara Sáiz y Leticia Bernardo
TECHNICAL TEAM: Miguel Tena, Alejandra Miñón y Eva Merchán
DANCE ON CAMINO DE SANTIAGO CONSULTANT: Alfonso Ordóñez
MUSICAL ATMOSPHERE: Samuel Peñas
HOST: Andrea Santamaría
COMMUNICATION: Eduardo Vielba
AUDIOVISUALS: Carlos Herrera y Alberto Soto
PHOTOGRAPHY: Gerardo Sanz y Ana Yñañez
