Overview of the Folkwang’s world of Dance

Dance at the Folkwang involves training in contemporary dance and dance theatre, and has been a particularly formative component in the Folkwang’s course offerings ever since the foundation of the university (as the Folkwang School) in 1927. It is represented by dancers, choreographers and pedagogues such as Kurt Jooss (founder of the school), Pina Bausch, Hans Züllig, Susanne Linke, Urs Dietrich and so on, as well as graduates from 39 countries who have made the name “Folkwang” unmistakeable throughout the world. It is represented also by the many artistic works and pieces in which students bring their creativity and independence onto the stage year after year. An important element in the Folkwang’s dance training is the encouragement of independent choreographic work. The goal: to train not dancers but human beings who dance.
In addition to the various courses in Dance, Choreography and Dance Pedagogy, which are currently all taught in modules and are adapted as Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs, the Folkwang Dance Studio (Folkwang Tanzstudio, FTS) has been in existence for more than 80 years now, jointly directed from 1999 to 2008 by Pina Bausch and Henrietta Horn, and now under the direction of Rodolpho Leonie.

practical – creative – demanding – exciting – sensuous

Hans Züllig in an Interview, 1990:
“We teach dance that is motivated, genuine and unadorned.”

German Critics’ Prize, awards presentation speech 1997:
“In general, artistic talent can develop successfully to its full extent only on a solid basis of technical skills. Folkwang Dance maintains the delicate balance of mediating between tradition and innovation.”