VSCD Dance Awards - The Golden Swan
The Dance Awards of the VSCD (the Association of Theatres and Concert Halls Directors) have been associated with the Nederlandse Dansdagen since 2003 and are presented during the Nederlandse Dansdagen Gala. A festive evening that officially opens the festival. Peggy Olislaegers received the Golden Swan in 2026.
From the jury report
"Consultant, coach, moderator, connector, dramaturg, choreographer, and performer: Peggy Olislaegers is all of these things. But above all, she is a driving force. Olislaegers is the quintessential champion of the broad-minded approach that benefits a relatively small sector like dance. She looks at the world of dance and sees where it intersects with other fields, with societal developments, and with the future. And she does this both in the Netherlands and internationally. The impact of her work should therefore not be underestimated.
She has served as a mentor to countless people in the dance sector. And as a director and interim leader at various cultural organizations, she has proven to be a key influencer. In doing so, she creates opportunities for others to excel and builds sustainable structures for the future.''
Winners Golden Swan
2026 Peggy Olislaegers 2025 Guy Weizman en Roni Haver 2022 Lloyd Marengo 2021 Emio Greco en Pieter C. Scholten 2019 Conny Janssen 2017 Ed Wubbe 2016 Igone de Jongh 2015 Roel Voorintholt 2014 Larisa Lezjnina 2013 Bonnie Doets 2012 Anouk van Dijk 2011 Ton Lutgerink 2010 Krisztina de Châtel 2009 Shirley Esseboom 2008 Michael Schumacher 2007 Caroline Harder 2005 Massimo Molinari 2004 Tim Persent 2003 Sofiane Sylve
About the Golden Swan
The Dance Awards of the VSCD (the Association of Theatres and Concert Halls Directors) have been associated with the Nederlandse Dansdagen since 2003 and are presented during the Nederlandse Dansdagen Gala. A festive evening that officially opens the festival.
Every year, during the Nederlandse Dansdagen Gala, the Swans and Young Swans are awarded for the most impressive productions and performances. Sometimes a Golden Swan is also awarded. This prize is not awarded annually and has no nominations. The Golden Swan is a lifetime achievement award for dancers or choreographers working in the Netherlands who have made significant and unique contributions to Dutch dance throughout their careers.
The Dance Jury of the Swans 2025–2026 consistsof:
- Simone Kratz (chair), Artistic Director and Managing Director of Wilminktheater and Muziekcentrum Enschede
- Wendy Lubberding, Critic, journalist, editor
- Mitchell-Lee van Rooij, former dancer, senior marketer at Korzo, advisor to the Performing Arts Fund
- Julie Vegter, dance programmer at Vondelpark Open-Air Theater and member of the Julidans editorial board
- Dave Schwab, Head of Programming at Theater Rotterdam
- Lynn Bartels, former dancer, programmer, dramaturg
- Andrey “Drosha” Grekhov, artistic director of the Sample Culture Foundation and Emoves
The Swans are made possible by the Vriendenloterij.
