Winners VSCD Zwanen 2026

During the Nederlandse Dansdagen Gala at Theater aan het Vrijthof, in the presence of Minister Letschert of Education, Culture, and Science, the 2026 VSCD Dance Awards were presented. These awards are known as the prestigious Swans and Young Swans. They are awarded annually to companies, choreographers, and dancers who have delivered impressive performances over the past season. The Golden Swan was also awarded this year. This award does not have nominations and is not presented annually. The Golden Swan is awarded to a dancer, choreographer, or individual working in the field of dance in the Netherlands who, through his or her career, has made a significant contribution to Dutch dance.

Golden Swan

This year, Peggy Olislaegers received the Golden Swan Award for her significant contribution to the recognition of dance dramaturgy as an independent and essential artistic practice in the Netherlands and Europe. From the jury report: “She has been 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 space for others to excel and builds sustainable structures for the future."

Olislaegers, who, as a dance activist, facilitates change in the performing arts sector, dedicated her award to the people with whom she shares the practice of questioning and change, but who do not always receive recognition for it and are sometimes met with silence or rejection. In her acceptance speech, she emphasized the importance of radical solidarity. She concluded by saying, “Solidarity—radical solidarity—is what matters most to me. I have a voice, and I use it. I have a body, and I can stand beside you with it.”

Especially for this occasion, Sunni Lamin Barrow wrote and presented a poem inspired by conversations with Olislaegers about dance as a human right.

Swans

Tyrone Menig received the Swan for Most Impressive Dance Achievement of 2026 for his role in A Fine Mess by Marco Gerris & Jakop Ahlbom (ISH Dance Collective, Jakop Ahlbom Company & DeLaMar). From the jury report: “Tyrone Menig is a virtuoso breakdancer specializing in locking and breaking, but in A Fine Mess he also demonstrates great comedic talent with exaggerated and infectious acting, as well as wacky stunts and tricks borrowed from martial arts. With this versatility, he contributes to a dance practice that expands and challenges the boundaries of hip-hop.”

The Swan for the most impressive dance production was awarded to WAXES by Sarah Baltzinger & Isaiah Wilson (Scapino Ballet Rotterdam). From the jury’s report: “With WAXES, Sarah Baltzinger and Isaiah Wilson present a poignant and uncompromising work that, with an all-female cast, explores the body outside the male norm. The seven dancers showcase an impressive movement vocabulary that pushes the boundaries of the physical and the theatrical, thereby questioning the demands placed on the body.”

Young Swans

Ciara Hiwat received the Young Swan Award for the most impressive youth dance achievement for her role in KABITENI (14+) by Lloyd Marengo (Lloydscompany). From the jury report: “Ciara Hiwat breathes with the music. She shifts from grand expression to subtle detail while remaining completely believable. The jury sees a young woman who draws on her own strength: clear, fearless, and fully present.”

The Young Swan Award for the most impressive youth dance production went to LiCHT (2+) by Gaia Gonnelli (Dadodans). From the jury report: “From flashlights upon entry to aerial acrobatics that make the entire space move. LiCHT builds up patiently, features surprising elements, and gives the very youngest children the feeling that this world belongs to them.”

Vereniging van Schouwburg- en Concertgebouwdirecties (VSCD)

The VSCD is the leading advocate for theaters and concert halls. Performing artists make a powerful contribution to the arts scene and are the lifeblood of theaters and concert halls. Their performances deserve special attention and a growing audience. That is why the VSCD presents annual awards for the most impressive stage performances across various genres. The VSCD Dance Awards are made possible by the VriendenLoterij.