Marco Goecke wins prestigious Tanzpreis 2022

During a digital press conference on May 4, it was announced that Marco Goecke, associate choreographer at Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT), will receive the prestigious Tanzpreis 2022 later this year. However, for the first time since the Tanzpreis was founded in 1983, the main prize is awarded to two outstanding choreographers: Marco Goecke and Christoph Winkler.

About Marco Goecke, the jury report said:

“Feverish, lively, energetic, original, full of powerful ideas. These are some of the descriptions that pay tribute to choreographer Marco Goecke’s unique dance vocabulary. His extraordinary work spans the entire spectrum of dance, from ballet to contemporary dance, delivering an unmistakable signature all of his own. With a constantly evolving language that always reveals new ideas and structures, he not only convinces his audience all over the world, [but also this jury].

Undeterred by the initial negative reactions to his unusual choreographic style, Goecke continued to develop works that have made him an outstanding contemporary choreographer. Not only was he principal choreographer of the Stuttgart Ballet for over a decade, his works are now part of the repertoire of many established institutions, not to mention the prestigious awards he has received, most recently the Jiří Kylián Ring.

What is striking about Goecke’s work is his contribution to the development of modern dance. (…) Every gesture, feverish and powerful at the same time, is a convincingly unusual image every time. The other thing that deserves a special mention, is the way he works with his dancers. He brings out their own personality and expressiveness while pushing them to their limits, beyond mere versatility.”

The jury, chaired by Dr Patricia Stöckemann, decided to award both Marco Goecke and Christoph Winkler the German Dance Prize 2022 each, endowed with 10,000 euros. In addition, the jury decided to honor Reinhild Hoffmann with a Lifetime Achievement Award, also endowed with 10,000 euros. The Aktion Tanz association is honored with 5,000 euros for their contribution to outstanding developments in dance. The jury explained this unusual decision with the wish to better reflect the enormous diversity of dance that arises within both theater ensembles as well as in the independent dance scene. The artistic and choreographic impact and significance of the award-winning artists for the German and international dance scene are, according to the jury, of unprecedented importance.

The award ceremony and dance gala will take place on October 15, 2022 at the Aalto Theater in Essen, Germany. Presale starts on May 14, 2022.