The event is aimed at young dancers aged between 16 and 21, competing in modern dances, be it solo or in couples, as long as they were not professionally engaged. Ten countries participated in the 2015 contest; with Albania and Malta making their début; Slovakia returning after an eighteen-year break; and Armenia, Belarus, and Ukraine deciding not to participate.
Viktoria Nowak of Poland won the contest, with Staša Tušar of Slovenia placing second (runner-up).
On 24 April 2014, the Czech city of Plzeň, was selected as the host city for the 2015 edition of the biennial Eurovision Young Dancers.[1][2] The reasons behind this decision was to coincide the Young Dancers event alongside the European Capital of Culture, of which the city were organisers of a series of cultural events with a strong European dimension.[2][3]
In November 2014, the host broadcaster, Česká televize (ČT), announced that it had selected the New Theatre as the venue for the contest.[4][5] The building first opened on 1 September 2014, showcasing a performance of Bedřich Smetana's The Bartered Bride,[6] and has "state of the art" technology for a theatre of its kind.[5] The 2015 Eurovision Young Dancers took place on 19 June 2015.[7]
Format
The format consisted of dancers who were non-professional and between the ages of 16–21, competing in a performance of dance routines of their choice, which they had prepared in advance of the competition. All of the acts then took part in a choreographed group dance during 'Young Dancers Week'.[8]
Presenters
On 10 March 2015, host broadcaster ČT, announced that Libor Bouček [cs] had been chosen to host the 2015 edition.[9] Bouček, who is a well-known television presenter, speaks fluent Czech and English, and has experience with hosting live events, with his most recent being the 2014 European Athletics Championships. Česká televize, stated that his repertoire is why they decided to choose him to host the contest.[9] Cameron McMillan, head choreographer and 2013 jury panel member, presented the backstage segments during the show.
Jury panel
Jury members of a professional aspect and representing the elements of ballet, contemporary, and modern dancing styles, score each of the competing individual and group dance routines. Once all the jury votes had been counted, the two participants which received the highest total of points progress to a final round. The final round consisted of a 90-second 'dual', where each of the finalists performed a 45-second random dance-off routine. The overall winner upon completion of the final dances was chosen by the professional jury members.[8] The jury members were as follows:[10]
The contest was limited to a maximum of fourteen participants, however, only broadcasters from ten countries confirmed their participation.[11] Of those ten participants, Albania and Malta made their début; Slovakia returned after last competing at the Eurovision Young Dancers 1997. Armenia, Belarus, and Ukraine withdrew.[12]
For a country to be eligible for potential participation in the Eurovision Young Dancers, it must be member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).[16] The EBU issued an invitation of participation for the 2015 Contest to all 56 active members.[16] Ten countries confirmed their participation,[13] whilst the following countries declined, stating their reasons as shown below.
Cyprus – The Cypriot broadcaster Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC) announced on 5 December 2014 that a decision on participation had yet to be taken, making a return to the 2015 event possible. The island country, who last participated at the Eurovision Young Dancers 2005, did not make their return in the end.[21]
Finland – The Finnish broadcaster Yleisradio (Yle) announced on 10 December 2014 that they were unable to take part in the 2015 event. Finland last took part in 2005.[22]
Ireland – On 28 November 2014, the Irish broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) announced that they had no plans to return to the event in 2015, after last taking part in 2001.[23]
Latvia – On 5 March 2015, the Latvian broadcaster Latvijas Televīzija (LTV) announced that they would not take part in the 2015 event. Latvia last participated at the 2005 Young Dancers event.[24]
United Kingdom – On 2 October 2014 the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) announced that they were to launch a new dancing competition in 2015 entitled "BBC Young Dancer", and it was thought that the winner would represent the United Kingdom, marking a potential return to Eurovision Young Dancers, since their last participation in 2005.[26][27] On 7 October 2014, the BBC replied to a post on the show's Facebook page saying there were "no plans at present" to return in 2015.[28]
^"BBC Young Dancers 2015"(PDF). bbc.co.uk. British Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original(PDF) on 10 January 2015. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
