IDO Modern & Contemporary Dance Committee Holds International Meeting with Delegates from 25 Countries

The International Dance Organization (IDO) Modern & Contemporary Dance Committee held its official annual meeting on March 4, 2026. The meeting took place online and brought together 36 delegates and guests representing 25 countries, reflecting the strong international cooperation within the IDO performing arts disciplines.

The session was chaired by Mitja Popovski, Chairperson of the Modern & Contemporary Dance Committee, who welcomed the delegates and presented a report on the activities and developments of the discipline during 2025.

During the past year, the Modern discipline continued to grow within IDO. Two major championships were highlighted in the report. The IDO European Modern Championships 2025 were held in Poland and welcomed approximately 1,300 dancers from 20 countries. The IDO World Modern Championships 2025 took place in Belgium with around 1,600 dancers representing 31 countries. Both events were evaluated as well organized and successful.

The committee also reviewed the competition calendar for 2026. The IDO European Modern Championships will be held from September 25 to 28, 2026 in Skopje, North Macedonia. The IDO World Modern Championships are scheduled for November 21 to 25, 2026 in Podčetrtek, Slovenia.

Several proposals were presented and discussed during the meeting. A proposal regarding revised performance duration limits for the Modern and Jazz disciplines was introduced but later postponed for further discussion among member organizations.

Another proposal suggesting a division of the Children age category into two separate groups was discussed and voted on, but it was not approved by the committee.

A proposal from the IDO Dancers Commission addressed dancer safety and suggested introducing minimum subfloor standards beneath Marley dance floors used at competitions. The aim of the proposal is to improve shock absorption and reduce the risk of injuries for dancers. The topic received attention from the committee as an important element in providing safe competition conditions.

Delegates also discussed broader artistic and educational aspects of the discipline. Topics included the relationship between Modern and Contemporary styles, the evaluation of choreography and movement quality, and the importance of continued education for judges and trainers through seminars and professional discussions.

The meeting concluded with additional information regarding upcoming IDO activities, including future seminars and the preparations for the IDO Gala and the organization’s 45th anniversary celebrations.

Chairperson Mitja Popovski thanked all delegates and guests for their participation and contributions to the ongoing development of Modern and Contemporary dance within the International Dance Organization.

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