Presented by Aerowaves with Centre Cultural Vila Flor in collaboration with O Espaço do Tempo, and part of the programme of the European Green Capital 2026 Guimarães.
In 2026 we are celebrating 30 years since John Ashford founded Aerowaves in 1996.
The programme includes the Aerowaves Twenty26 from 16 countries and showcases an exciting and diverse selection of emerging dance makers working across Europe.
In addition, Quebequoise choreographer Emmanuel Jouthe will present his work adapted for and performed by a local group of dance students from Instável – Centro Coreográfico. Along with the performances, the European Green Capital will offer a special city tour and a presentation, and the schedule will feature a facilitated talk with artists.
The 15th edition of Spring Forward is part of the programme of the European Green Capital 2026 Guimarães.
Aerowaves is Co-funded by the European Union.
Supported by: Pro Helvetia, Culture Ireland, Onassis Stegi and Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ).
The restaging of VEGA by Emmanuel Jouthe in collaboration with: La danse sur les routes du Québec and Instável – Centro Coreográfico.
Since 2005 Centro Cultural Vila Flor has been the main cultural hub in Guimarães. Managed by the team at A Oficina, it hosts the majority of the organisation’s festivals and year-round programming—which is contemporary, international, and focused on new artistic creations. With two auditoriums primarily dedicated to contemporary theatre and dance, a Café Concerto for live music, and magnificent gardens, it breathes new life into the 18th-century Vila Flor Palace.
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The artists presenting their work at Spring Forward have been taking part in online workshops to prepare for the event. Experienced producer and manager Anikó Racz, Artistic Director of SÍN Arts Centre in Budapest, leads the artists through a journey to help them maximise their opportunities and take a pragmatic approach to working internationally.
In addition, each artist performing in the festival programme is matched up with an Aerowaves partner who acts as their buddy. Their role is to help orientate the artist, introduce them to guests and be a friendly face amongst the busy atmosphere of the event. Buddies may approach you to introduce artists, so be prepared to engage!
The Buddy System is coordinated by Markéta Perroud.
Each year during the festival, 10 aspiring dance writers, selected through an open call, are mentored by professional journalists in the art of quality dance criticism.
Under Oonagh Duckworth’s direction, our new writers will be mentored by our lead critics including Emily May (Springback Academy graduate, contributor to the Financial Times), Sanjoy Roy (The Guardian, editor of Springback Magazine), Kelly Apter (The Scotsman) and Laura Cappelle (New York Times).
2026 writers: Carl Aquilizan (Norway), Katarina Bogataj (Slovenia), Franek Dziduch (Poland and The Netherlands), Markus Hallmark (Sweden), Clée Jordier (France), Dan Mussett (Belgium), Marie Pullerits (Estonia and The Netherlands), Lizzy Tan (United kINGDOM), Ana Riscado (Portugal), Mila Volkova (Germany)
https://aerowaves.org/meet-the-springback-academy-2026/
https://springback.org/magazine
For the fourth consecutive year, a group of emerging dance presenters will be guided through the festival by Aerowaves Partners, addressing current programming issues. Following Spring Forward, support will be offered to three of them to plan and present projects involving Aerowaves artists when they return home.
Aerowaves board member and former director of Dance Umbrella, Betsy Gregory, leads the initiative, alongside Lisa Reinheimer (Dansateliers, Rotterdam), Frosso Trousa (DAN.C.CE Unitiva and Arc for Dance festival, Athens), Ingrida Gerbutavičiūtė (Tanzhaus nrw, Düsseldorf) and Roberto Casarotto (Aerowaves Co-Director).
2026 participants: Agate Bankava (Latvia), Monika Citvaraitė-Lansbergienė (Lithuania), Shaquille George (The Netherlands/Curacao), Barbora Janáková (Slovakia), Yilin Ma (Finland), Elena Marinova (Bulgaria), Djam Neguin (Portugal/Cabo Verde), Michael Scerbo (The Netherlands/Italy), Verena Schneider (Austria)
https://aerowaves.org/meet-the-startup-forum-2026-participants/
This programme is aimed at local dance makers interested in developing and/or expanding their connections with international artists and presenters. The professional workshop is led by Anikó Rácz, artistic director of SÍN Arts Centre Hungary, with the collaboration of Markéta Perroud, a dance professional and an expert in European projects.
2026 participants: Oirana Moraes dos Santos, Júlio Adrião Fernandes Franja Cerdeira, Eríc Amorim dos Santos, Tiago Miguel Mourato Coelho, Connor Scott, Maria R. Soares, Mélanie Gonçalves Ferreira, Esther Kasenda, Beatriz Valentim and Catarina Clode Casqueiro.
https://aerowaves.org/activities/artists-encounter/
The Podcast Academy is designed to explore, enjoy and master a valuable tool for dance and performance promotion. The Aerowaves Podcast Academy is offering them the chance to be mentored in the fundamentals of podcasting in the action-packed environment of the annual Spring Forward festival. The Podcast Academy mentor Dany Mitzman is a broadcast journalist with over 25 years of experience making features for the BBC and Deutsche Welle Radio.
Participants: Matilda Bjärum Bengtsson (based in Sweden), Laura Sarah Dowdall based in Ireland), Elena Grappi (based in Italy), Clara Grosjean (based in France) and Emmanuel Ndefo (based in France).
https://aerowaves.org/meet-the-2026-podcast-academy-participants/
Aerowaves
Co-Directors: Elisabetta Bisaro & Roberto Casarotto
Executive Director: Anna Arthur
Communications Manager: Clàudia Brufau Bonet
Associate producer: Morgan Steele
Springback Academy Director: Oonagh Duckworth
Springback Magazine Editor: Sanjoy Roy
Startup Forum Director: Betsy Gregory
Podcast Producer and Podcast Academy mentor: Dany Mitzman
Artist Development: Anikó Racz and Markéta Perroud
Graphic design: Pedro Hugo
Trailer: Luca Truffarelli
Centro Cultural Vila Flor / A Oficina
Executive Director: Esser Jorge Silva
Artistic Director: Rui Torrinha
Artistic Director’s Assistant: Paulo Dumas
Production Director: Susana Pinheiro
Production staff: Ana Sousa, Andreia Abreu, Andreia Novais, Hugo Dias, Joana Oliveira, Rui Afonso and Sofia Leite
Technical Director: Carlos Ribeir
Technical staff: Ana Fernandes, André Marafona, Bárbara Falcão, Duarte Dimas, João Castro, João Oliveira, Júlia de Luca, Ricardo Santos, Rui Eduardo Gonçalves, and Sérgio Sá
Director of Communication: Liliana Costa
Communication staff: Bruno Borges Barreto (Press), Carlos Rego (Promotion), Eduarda Fontes, Susana Sousa (Design), Mafalda Mendes (Videomaker), Pedro Magalhães, Rui Costa (Digital)
Photography: Paulo Pacheco
Director of Public Relations, Fundraising and Partnerships: Sérgio Sousa
Front of House staff: Andreia Martins, Catarina Atilano, Jocélia Gomes, Josefa Cunha, Ricardo Lopes, Sandra Sousa, Sylvie Simões
Facilities Director: Luís Antero Silva
Assistants to the Facilities Director: Joaquim Mendes and Rui Gonçalves
Facilities staff: Amélia Pereira, Antónia Pereira, Carla Matos, Cláudia Guimarães, Conceição Oliveira, Fátima Faria, Jacinto Cunha, José Manuel Machado, Josefa Gonçalves, Raquel Mendes and Sónia Alves
O Espaço do Tempo
Artistic Director: Pedro Barreiro
Communications: