Top commitment to young talent: Palucca-Verein turns 30

These days at the Palucca University of Dance in Dresden, a lot is revolving around the Friends of the internationally renowned training center. On May 31, 1995, the Palucca Friends Association was founded by dance-loving citizens of the city. It now has more than 100 members, including many graduates of the university.

Since its foundation, the association has pursued the goal of supporting pupils and students of the university both ideally and materially, says Christina Flume, head of the association. "Our aim was and is to support young people on their path to an artistic future and to give them a strong foundation." That's why, on the association's 30th birthday, we would like to thank all supporters who share our enthusiasm for dance.

Gret Palucca was already a legend during her lifetime

The association would have been very much in the spirit of Gret Palucca (1902-1993). The dancer was already a legend during her lifetime. She founded her school 100 years ago. She taught herself into old age. Today, Germany's only independent dance academy bears her name. Palucca stands for equal training in contemporary and classical dance as well as improvisation. Boundaries between these three disciplines should disappear in order to find inspiration for new forms of expression.

The artistic philosophy of the school's founder is also at the heart of the sponsoring association: expression, individuality and enthusiasm for dance. By supporting student projects and financing training costs such as dance clothing or shoes, the association makes a significant contribution to the students' education.

Dance fans can sponsor pointe shoes

One project is the "pointe shoe sponsorship". It enables each student to receive funding for two pairs of pointe shoes per academic year. "Every donation is a helping hand for the future of dance as an art form and for our young talent on the stages of Germany. Dance is moving and the Palucca students move us all," says Rector Katharina Christl.

To mark its anniversary, the association is inviting students to become part of the lively support community themselves. With an annual membership fee of 60 euros - discounts are available for pensioners and students - members can contribute to the promotion of young talent. As a sponsor for pointe shoes, a donation can also be used to help a specific pupil or student. The association also co-finances grants for the production costs of final theses and trips abroad.

There are currently 144 pupils and students from around 20 nations in dance training. Training can begin at the age of ten. In grades 5 and 6, the children learn in orientation classes, while grades 7 to 10 are junior development classes. Admission to the three-year Bachelor's degree course in dance is decided in the final year. In addition to the bachelor's degree, there are master's degree courses in dance education and choreography as well as a master class course.