Filip Barankiewicz
Artistic Director of The Czech National BalletBiography
Filip Barankiewicz was born in Warsaw, where he enrolled at the Roman Turczynowicz Ballet School in Warsaw in 1986. In 1991 he received the Vaslav Nijinsky Medal, and in 1995 he won the National Ballet Competition in Poland. At the Académie de Danse Classique in Monte-Carlo he received a scholarship from the Rudolf Nureyev Foundation and continued his studies until 1996. His professional career has been diverse and distinguished – he was a superb leading dancer, he gained fame as a guest coach at prestigious venues worldwide and today he is a noted ballet master. He has staged John Cranko’s choreographies in numerous companies (Estonian National Ballet, Korean National Ballet, Polish National Theatre in Warsaw, Santiago Ballet de Chile, Bavarian State Ballet, Royal Swedish Ballet, Norwegian National Ballet, Finish National Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, Miami City Ballet…).
Since the 2017/2018 season Filip Barankiewicz is the Artistic Director of the Czech National Ballet. During his illustrious career as a dancer, he gained invaluable experience over 18 seasons with the Stuttgarter Ballett, where he was a principal dancer and later on a ballet master and coach. He has keenly followed global trends, understands the wide international context and supports colourful diversity.
As Artistic Director he considers it important that dancers fully reach their potential and perform at the highest level possible, thus the repertoire of the company is very demanding and the quality of interpretation is excellent.
He has duly incorporated the most important productions (created by the most renowned choreographers) of the global ballet heritage: Manon by Kenneth MacMillan (Czech premiere February 20, 2025), Swan Lake, Onegin, Romeo and Juliet by John Cranko, The Sleeping Beauty by Marcia Haydée, La Fille mal gardée by Frederick Ashton, La Sylphide by Johan Kobborg, Serenade by George Balanchine, The Rite of Spring by Glen Tetley, Kafka: The Trial, Holo Harmonies by Mauro Bigonzetti, A Streetcar Named Desire by John Neumeier, Leonce & Lena by Christian Spuck, Cinderella by Jean-Christophe Maillot, Coppélia by Ronald Hynd, The Nutcracker – A Christmas Carol by Youri Vàmos as well as a number of works by Jiří Kylián (Symphony of Psalms, Petite Mort, Bella Figura, Gods and Dogs, Sechs Tänze), William Forsythe – The Second Detail, Edward Clug – Handman, Wayne McGregor – EdenǀEden, Sharon Eyal & Gai Behar – Bill, Krzysztof Pastor – Moving Rooms, Hans van Manen – Frank Bridge Variations, Sarcasmen (Czech premiere April 24, 2025), Marco Goecke – Fly Paper Bird.
Filip Barankiewicz also initiated the creation of new works that have been presented as world premieres: The Sun, the Moon and the Wind (World premiere October 3, 2024) – Viktor Konvalinka, Scheherazade (World premiere November 28, 2024) – Mauro Bigonzetti, Aspects – Katarzyna Kozielska, Dumka – Ondřej Vinklát, Perfect Example, New creation (World premiere April 24, 2025) – Andrey Kaydanovskiy, Separate Knots – Emanuel Gat, Prelude und Liebestod – Cayetano Soto, Dos Soles Solos – Alejandro Cerrudo, Puppet – Douglas Lee, Artza, New creation (World premiere April 24, 2025) – Eyal Dadon, Bohemian Gravity – Yemi A.D.
In addition to collaborating with established choreographers, Filip Barankiewicz also supports original ventures and is dedicated to finding new creative forces. He provides dancers with the opportunity to develop their own skills and imagination and to participate in the creative process during the preparation of productions made directly for our company. This commitment cultivates a vibrant and progressive environment in which artistic expression grows and evolves.
Update: 9/2024