Winner Jiří Kylián Ring 2026
In the presence of Their Royal Highnesses Princess Beatrix, Prince Constantijn, and Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands, the Jiří Kylián Ring was presented for the eleventh time during the opening of the 20th anniversary edition of the Holland Dance Festival on February 4th.
Paul Bronkhorst, director of Omscholing Dansers Nederland (Educational Dancers Netherlands), was the winner in 2024 and received the ring for his pioneering role in supporting dancers' career transitions after retirement. This year, Bronkhorst awarded the Jiří Kylián Ring to choreographers Guy Weizman and Roni Haver for their significant contributions to dance.
Guy & Roni
The choreographic duo Guy Weizman and Roni Haver, better known as Guy & Roni, are among the most influential creators in contemporary dance in the Netherlands and beyond. Since 2002, they have been collaborating on a distinctive signature style that fuses dance, music, theater, visual art, and pop culture.
They are known for their raw, energetic, and emotionally charged performances, in which the body functions as a vehicle for urgency and humanity. Their work often explores the tension between control and chaos, individual and collective, beauty and discomfort. Music plays a central role in this: live soundscapes, electronic compositions, and classical influences become an integral part of the choreography.
As artistic directors of Club Guy & Roni and NITE, they have renewed Dutch dance practice by working interdisciplinary and by giving young creators and dancers space to experiment. Internationally, Guy & Roni have contributed to a dance practice that pushes boundaries - artistically, physically, and emotionally.
Jiři Kylián Ring
The Jiři Kylián Ring award ceremony is a joint initiative of former director of the Dutch Dance Festival Leontien Wiering and artistic director of the Holland Dance Festival Samuel Wuersten. The ring was established in 2006 in admiration of Kylián's mastery. Jiři Kylián was asked to eventually pass the ring on to an artist who, like him, is an inspiration and innovator in the dance world.
The Ring was designed by Hans Appenzeller and consists of a set of 14 rings, one for each letter of the award. The rings are mounted on a ring gauge and are sized in ascending order. The recipient may choose a suitable ring and keep it when passing on the award. The winner also receives a financial incentive of five thousand euros from the Kylián Foundation.
Previous winners were:
2024 Paul Bronkhorst | 2022 Marco Goecke | 2020 Marian Sarstädt | 2018 Alexandra Radius & Han Ebbelaar | 2016 Roel Voorintholt & Ton Wiggers | 2014 Janine Dijkmeijer | 2012 Ingrid Wolff | 2010 Ellen Knops | 2008 Michael Schumacher | 2006 Jiři Kylián
Holland Dance Festival: the longest running international dance biennial in the Netherlands
For 40 years, Holland Dance Festival has brought dance from around the world to the Netherlands. The festival presents companies and dance artists not otherwise seen in our country. From Wednesday, February 4th, to Saturday, February 21st, 2026, Holland Dance Festival will showcase the universal character and enormous richness of dance. A consistently diverse program gives audiences the opportunity to admire the best of international dance up close. Holland Dance Festival is a festival where you feel at home: there's something new for everyone to discover or recognize. The festival program is enriched with a DanceAble Symposium, workshops, introductions, and masterclasses. This makes a visit to the dance capital of the Netherlands, The Hague, during the winter months unforgettable.
HOLLAND DANCE FESTIVAL 2026 – February 4 to 21
View the program: www.holland-dance.com
