Established in 2023 to honor the legacy of Jorge Salavisa (1939-2020) – Portuguese dancer, teacher and artistic director – the Salavisa European Dance Award (SEDA) will be granted to artists from any part of the world who demonstrate talent or special qualities that transcend their own biotope and national borders. 

Created by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, SEDA aims to position itself as a biennial prize to encourage young artists, without a strictly defined age category, who are still relatively unknown in the European circuit due to their artistic approach or their social and cultural background. 

On November 13, which marks Jorge Salavisa’s birthday, the presentation session for this award will be held in Auditorium 3 of the Gulbenkian Foundation. This event provides an opportunity to get a better understanding of its history and mission, as well as to introduce the other cultural institutions that constitute SEDA’s network. As partners, they will actively participate in the nomination of the candidate artists and the public presentation of their works.

These institutions include ImPulsTanz in Vienna, K.V.S. in Brussels, Dansehallerne in Copenhagen, Maison de la Danse/Biennale de la Danse in Lyon, Joint Adventures in Munich, and Sadler’s Wells in London. The Kees Eijrond Foundation, a close friend of Jorge Salavisa and a driving force behind SEDA, is also a partner. 

Photo © Joaquim Leal / Companhia Paulo Ribeiro