Festival History
Since 1970
The International Dance Festival has been held in Ústí nad Labem since 1970. Originally called the Festival of Dance and Friendship, it has featured significant international competitions from the very beginning.
The festival hosts various competitions in dance sport, with the programme regularly enriched by exhibition performances. The traditional pillars of the domestic competition programme are the Czech Championships in Standard and Latin Formations, and since 2012, the Czech Championships in Showdance Standard and Latin.
Competitions are sanctioned by the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) at the level of EU Championships, European Championships and World Championships.
Czech Television has been a long-time partner of the festival, broadcasting competitions live on ČT Sport.
A highlight in the festival's history was the 40th anniversary edition (2009), which featured an exhibition by World Standard Champions Paolo Bosco – Silvia Pitton and Stefano di Filippo – Olga Urumova.