InterDance Fest
| InterDance Fest | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Status | active |
| Genre | Dance festival |
| Location(s) | Sarajevo |
| Country | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Years active | 2014 - present |
| Website | interdancefest |
The InterDance Fest is the largest contemporary dance festival in Southeastern Europe.[1] It is held in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The festival was established in 2010 by the Aster Dance Club in cooperation with the Berlin Dance Institute,[2] the World DanceSport Federation[3] and the MTV Dance Europe television network.[4] It is open to contestants from the ages of 6 to 50, but also showcases non-competitive performers above the age of 50. It consists of competitive and non-competitive programmes that include Hip Hop, Jazz Dance, Street dance, Disco, Breakdancing, West Coast Swing, Electric Boogie, Salsa, Argentine tango, Mambo, Cha-cha-cha, Majorette performances, Cheerleading, Zumba, Belly Dance and others.[5] The festival also hosts the European Salsa Championships.[6] The 2017 edition hosted over 4,000 performers representing 84 international dance clubs from 46 countries.[7][8]
History
[edit]The Aster Dance Club was founded in 1986 in Sarajevo, which at the time was part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The club was named after the iconic American dancer, choreographer, and actor, Fred Astaire, as a tribute to his influence on the world of dance. Initially part of the Slobodan Princip "Seljo" Student Cultural Club, the Aster Dance Club quickly gained a reputation as one of the leading dance institutions in the region. The club was instrumental in promoting dance as an art form, offering a wide range of dance styles, including ballroom, modern, and jazz dance.
In 1992, with the onset of the Bosnian War, the Aster Dance Club, along with many other cultural institutions, was forced to cease operations due to the disruption caused by the conflict. Despite the challenges, the members of the club remained committed to their passion for dance and preserving the legacy of the institution. After the war ended, the club struggled to regain its former position in the cultural landscape of Sarajevo. However, in 2000, the club officially ceased to exist.
In 2014, a group of former members of the Aster Dance Club, who had continued to be involved in the dance community throughout the years, took the initiative to reestablish the club. This effort marked a pivotal moment in the revitalization of Sarajevo’s dance culture. In the same year, the club launched the Interdance Fest (also known as the International Dance Festival), a festival aimed at bringing together international and local dancers, choreographers, and dance enthusiasts. The festival was established in cooperation with the Berlin Dance Institute, World DanceSport Federation, and MTV Dance Europe, with the goal of promoting dance education, cultural exchange, and collaboration between artists from different countries. "The History of the Aster Dance Club and Interdance Fest". Aster Dance Club. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
The inaugural edition of the festival was met with great success, attracting numerous international dance companies and establishing itself as a premier event for the dance community in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The festival featured workshops, performances, and lectures, with participants from a wide range of countries, making it an important platform for the exchange of dance techniques and creative ideas. The Interdance Fest has since grown in significance and scope, drawing artists from across the globe to Sarajevo every year. [9]
In 2017, the Interdance Fest gained further recognition when its organizers signed a cooperation agreement with the 2019 European Youth Olympic Winter Festival. This agreement helped to expand the festival’s visibility, with many youth dancers and athletes participating in the event. The collaboration with the European Youth Olympic Winter Festival was seen as a significant step in bringing the event to a larger international audience, showcasing Sarajevo as a hub for global cultural exchange through dance. [10]
Today, the Interdance Fest is a well-established event on the international dance festival calendar. It continues to bring together dancers from all over the world, fostering collaboration, creativity, and cross-cultural understanding. The festival remains a testament to the enduring spirit of the Aster Dance Club and its legacy in Sarajevo’s cultural history. [11]
Format
[edit]The Interdance Fest is an annual international dance festival held in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, typically organized in April. The festival spans three days and features a diverse program comprising both competitive and non-competitive dance events.
Competitive Programmes
[edit]The first two days of the festival are dedicated to competitive dance categories, encompassing a wide range of styles from four different continents. Notable categories include:[12]
- Hip hop dance
- Jazz dance
- Street dance
- Disco dance
- Breakdancing
- West Coast Swing
- Electric Boogie
- Salsa (dance)
- Argentine tango
- Mambo (dance)
- Cha-cha-cha
- Majorette Performances
- Cheerleading
- Zumba
- Belly dance
These events are open to participants ranging from ages 6 to 50, with non-competitive performances also welcoming dancers above the age of 50. The festival attracts contestants from various countries, including Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Romania, and Italy.[13]
Non-Competitive Programmes
[edit]The third day of the festival is organized in cooperation with the International Dance Organization (IDO) and focuses on performing arts disciplines. These programmes include:[14]
This day provides a platform for artistic expression and showcases the versatility of dancers across different genres.
Judging and Awards
[edit]Each competitive programme is adjudicated by panels of international judges, ensuring a fair and professional evaluation process. The festival culminates in a Grand Prix event, where the most outstanding performers from the previous days are selected to compete for top honors. For instance, in 2019, Melisa Činić from the University Dance Club Tuzla won three gold medals in Hip Hop solo Adults, Hip Hop battle, and Breakdancing solo categories. She was later chosen for the Grand Prix, which included top performers from Italy and other countries. [15]
Venues
[edit]The festival is held at the Ilidža Cultural, Sports and Recreation Center** in Sarajevo, providing ample space for the various dance events and ensuring a comfortable environment for participants and spectators alike. [15]
References
[edit]- ^ "Počeo Sarajevo Dance Festival, najbolji plesači Evrope u Domu mladih". klix.ba.
- ^ "InterDance Fest". Sarajevo Tourism.
- ^ "InterDance Fest". Sarajevo Tourism.
- ^ "Takmičenje / Inter Dance FEST dovodi najbolje plesače u Sarajevo". Radio Sarajevo.
- ^ "Evropsko prvenstvo u salsi, bachati i merengui i Evropski kup u hip-hopu". tacno.net.
- ^ "International Friendship - Sarajevo Dance Festival: Ne propustite ovaj praznik plesa". depo.ba.
- ^ "Osmi InterDance Fest okupio 2750 takmičara". sarajevo-rs.com.
- ^ "Međunarodni plesni festival Inter Dance FEST 2018 u aprilu u Sarajevu". sportsport.ba.
- ^ "Interdance Fest 2014: A Dance Extravaganza". Radio Bosnia. 15 October 2014. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
- ^ "Interdance Fest Partners with European Youth Olympic Winter Festival". Avaz. 10 March 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
- ^ "Interdance Fest: A Global Dance Platform". Oslobođenje. 5 May 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
- ^ "InterDance Fest Sarajevo održan u posebnim uvjetima zbog pandemije". Klix.ba. 2020-08-15. Retrieved 2025-04-22.
- ^ "InterDance Fest 2021: Ples je ponovo u Sarajevu". Radio Sarajevo. 2021-04-07. Retrieved 2025-04-22.
- ^ "InterDance Fest 2019: Sarajevski festival plesa okupio talentovane izvođače". Avaz.ba. 2019-04-12. Retrieved 2025-04-22.
- ^ a b "InterDance Fest 2021: Ples i umjetnost kao terapija za društvo". Oslobođenje. 2021-04-06. Retrieved 2025-04-22.
