Belfast International Ballet Festival (BIBF) launched its 2026 programme at The MAC, Belfast, offering a first glimpse of the young talent set to take centre stage this summer. The launch was attended by Adéla Liškova, Artistic Director of High Points Youth Ballet, Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Hedley Abernethy, Judy Hutton of voco Belfast, and young dancers taking part in this year’s festival.
BIBF will see Belfast become a vibrant centre for ballet throughout July, with a two-week intensive training programme, ‘High Points Youth Ballet Summer Intensive’ for young dancers from across Northern Ireland, followed by Festival Week from 27th July to 1st August and three performances at The MAC on 31st July and 1st August.
Now in its third year, the festival brings together more than 50 young dancers, professional artists and ballet enthusiasts from Northern Ireland, Ireland, Scotland, England, Portugal and Türkiye. Home-grown ballet talent including Luc Burns and Anna McCoy will return to reconnect with Northern Ireland and share their skills and experience with local audiences and young dancers.
Students will also learn from distinguished guest teachers Sara Maria Barton, Artistic Director of Scotland’s S-MB Company, and Ayfer Zeren, former Artistic Director of Istanbul State Opera and Ballet.
Rana O’Brien, Managing Director of High Points Youth Ballet CIC, said:
“Belfast International Ballet Festival celebrates the calibre of ballet talent and ambition we have here in Northern Ireland. This year’s programme brings together classical repertoire, contemporary work, international guest teachers and Northern Ireland-born professional dancers returning home to share the stage with the next generation. There is a real sense of ‘coming home’ with the involvement of NI-born professionals returning and reconnecting with Northern Ireland in the summer months. A central aim of the Festival is to allow young dancers to work alongside and share the stage with role models from Northern Ireland who have established international careers in ballet.”
She continues, “If we want ballet to have a stronger future here, we need continued investment in grassroots arts. Northern Ireland has no professional ballet company, and without proper support, opportunities at this level can become accessible only to those who can afford the training, travel and competition costs. BIBF is our way of creating real pathways, raising standards and showing what is possible for home-grown ballet talent.”
Speaking at the launch, Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Hedley Abernethy said:
“It’s wonderful to see the Belfast International Ballet Festival returning to our city for a third time. High Points Youth Ballet deserves credit for the work they do to develop local talent and enrich lives through the medium of dance.
Creativity and artistic expression are things we celebrate in this city. Excellence in ballet requires years of hard work, dedication, passion, and skill. We recognise these young dancers for their ambition and their craft – they deserve this opportunity to not only learn from and train with homegrown and international professional dancers, but to perform on stage in Belfast and bring ballet to a wider audience.”
The Summer Ballet Training Programme begins on 13th July, with Belfast International Ballet Festival taking place from 27th July to 1st August. Performances will take place at The MAC Belfast on Friday 31st July at 7pm and Saturday 1st August at 3pm and 7pm.
Belfast International Ballet Festival is supported by Belfast City Council.
Tickets
Tickets will be available from: themaclive.com/your-visit/belfast-international-ballet-festival
For more information, follow High Points Youth Ballet and Belfast International Ballet Festival on social media.
Festival performances take place at The MAC Belfast on Friday 31st July at 7pm and Saturday 1st August at 3pm and 7pm.
