On the evening of June 20, 2023, local time in Moscow, the Award Ceremony of the 31st Benois de la Danse was held in Bolshoi Theatre of Russia. Qiu Yunting, the Prima Ballerina of the National Ballet of China, won the title of “Best Female Dancer”, becoming the second Chinese ballet artist to win this honor since the award was established.

Fei Bo, the chief choreographer of NBC, was invited to be a member of the jury of Benois de la Danse for the first time. NBC’s principal dancer Li Wentao and choreographer Li Jun were nominated for “Best Male Dancer” and “Best Choreographer” respectively in the 31st Benois de la Danse. Ning Long and Yu Zeyuan, excellent young dancers of NBC, participated in this award ceremony as performing dancers.

Feng Litao, Minister Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Russia, attended and watched the award ceremony and congratulated the artists of the National Ballet of China.

On the evening of June 20, outstanding ballet artists from seven countries, including China, Russia, France, Canada, Croatia, Kazakhstan and South Korea, gathered on the stage of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia to compete for the three awards of “Best Female Dancer”, “Best Male Dancer” and “Best Choreographer” in the 31st Benois de la Danse. In the end, Qiu Yunting, the Prima Ballerina of NBC, won the title of “Best Female Dancer” from the six nominated dancers for her role as “Tatiana” in the ballet Onegin.

Stage Photo of Qiu Yunting, Li Wentao in Onegin in 2022

Stage Photo of Qiu Yunting, Li Wentao in Onegin in 2022

Jury of the 31st Benois de la Danse

On the recommendation of Director Feng Ying, Fei Bo, the chief choreographer of the National Ballet of China, was invited to be a member of the jury of Benois de la Danse for the first time.

The six artists of NBC attending the 31st Benois de la Danse Award Ceremony were Li Jun, Yu Zeyuan, Ning Long, Qiu Yunting, Li Wentao and Fei Bo from left to right.

On the evening of June 20, at the award ceremony party, NBC’s dancers Qiu Yunting and Li Wentao performed excerpts from Chinese original ballet The Light of Heart, while Ning Long and Yu Zeyuan performed excerpts from Where to Pour All My Love?. On the evening of June 21, Qiu Yunting and Li Wentao also participated in the performance of the winners’ party of Benois de la Danse.

Love Pas de Deux (Excerpt from the original ballet The Light of Heart)

Choreographer: Fei Bo

Performed by Qiu Yunting, Li Wentao

Excerpts from Where to Pour All My Love?

Choreographer: Li Jun

Performed by: Ning Long, Yu Zeyuan

On the evening of June 20, after the evening performance of the 31st Benois de la Danse Award Ceremony, all the artists took a group photo.

Qiu Yunting

Qiu Yunting

Prima Ballerina of National Ballet of China, National First-class Dancer

Congratulations to Qiu Yunting!

Congratulations and thanks to all NBC’s artists who have won glory for China!