Issues in the Reconstruction of European Historical Dances of the 15th–20th Centuries

On February 21–23, 2026, Vaganova Ballet Academy will hold the research-to-practice conference "Issues in the Reconstruction of European Historical Dances of the 15th–20th Centuries" as part of the "Transmission of Vaganova's Heritage" project under the "PRIORITY 2030" Academic Strategic Leadership Program.

The conference aims to study European choreographic culture and dance traditions through the lens of historical development and interdisciplinary analysis. The conference program will include scholarly presentations, master classes, demonstration performances, and round tables. The project fosters research connections between Russian and international specialists, advances historical dance reconstruction methodologies, and promotes cultural heritage.

Conference Objectives:

• Research: To identify and analyze the performance characteristics of social and theatrical dances.

• Analytical: To study the influence of cultural and social context on the development of dance traditions and styles.

• Historical: To research the evolution of perceptions of beauty and professionalism in dance (15th–20th centuries).

• Scholarly: To introduce new sources and materials on dance history into academic discourse.

• Problem-focused: To critically analyze established views on the correspondence between styles and periods.

• Practical/Methodological: To develop approaches to reconstructing historical dances and to enhance the professional skills of specialists.

The conference invites historical dance theorists and practitioners, ballet and social dance history researchers, historical dance teachers, choreographers, postgraduate students, and undergraduate students.

Venue: St. Petersburg, 2 Zodchego Rossi Street, Vaganova Ballet Academy.

Presentation Format: Report – up to 20 minutes, discussion – 10 minutes; Brief communication – 10 minutes, discussion – 5 minutes.

Working Languages: Russian, English.

The conference will be held in a hybrid format. Online participation is possible exclusively for those participants whose in-person attendance is objectively hindered due to the current geopolitical situation. Technical details will be provided closer to the date.

Participation in the Conference is free of charge for all participants (speakers and attendees). Travel to the Conference venue, accommodation, and meals are to be covered by the sending institution or by the participants themselves.

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:

February 21, 2026
Registration: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
2:00 PM – Official opening ceremony at the Academy's Training Theater. Performance by Academy students.
5:30 PM – 8:30 PM – Master classes.

February 22, 2026
11:00 AM – 6:00 PM – Theoretical reports, presentations, reconstructions.

February 23, 2026
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM – Theoretical reports.
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Closing round table.

Organizing Committee:

• Anastasia Leonidovna Vasilyeva – Head of the Department of Methodology and Practice of Character, Historical Dance and Acting, Vaganova Ballet Academy, Candidate of Cultural Studies;

• Natalya Stanislavovna Yananis – Professor, Department of Methodology and Practice of Character, Historical Dance and Acting, Vaganova Ballet Academy, Honored Artist of Russia;

• Evgenia Vladimirovna Eremina-Solenikova – Research Associate, The State Hermitage Museum, Candidate of Art History;

• Ekaterina Sergeevna Mikhailova-Smolnyakova – Director of the Shuvalovskaya Shkola educational community, Artistic Director of the Renaissance Dance Ensemble "Vento del tempo";

• Dmitry Andreevich Filimonov – Associate Professor, HSE University and MIPT, Director of the Studio of Historical Dance "Zolotye Lesa", Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences;

• Boris Georgievich Stratilatov – System Administrator, Yaroslavl Information and Computing Center, Director of the Studio of Historical Dance "Zazerkalie".

Application Procedure:

• Applications to participate as a speaker must include last name, first name, patronymic, affiliation, academic degree, position, and an abstract of the report/communication (up to 1000 characters). Send to: conference@historicaldance.spb.ru

• Applications to participate in the round table must include last name, first name, patronymic, affiliation, academic degree, position, and a list of proposed questions for discussion. Send to: conference@historicaldance.spb.ru

• Applications to conduct a master class must include last name, first name, patronymic, affiliation, academic degree, position, as well as an extended synopsis and rationale for the relevance of the proposed material. Send to: conference@historicaldance.spb.ru

• Application deadline for speakers/master class leaders/round table participants: February 1, 2026.

• The registration form for attendees (listeners) will be published on January 21, 2026.

Planned Outcomes of the Conference:

Publication of a proceedings volume;

Peer-reviewed texts may be published in the "Vestnik of the A.Y. Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet" journal (included in the List of Peer-Reviewed Scientific Publications approved by the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education);

A print run of DVD discs featuring demonstration performances.