IDO World Ballet, Jazz, Modern & Contemporary Championships 2024: Spotlight on Visionary Organizer Piotr Patłaszyński

In just two days, the prestigious IDO World Ballet, Jazz, Modern & Contemporary Championships 2024 will commence, bringing together the finest dancers from across the globe. This year's event promises to be a spectacular showcase of artistry, talent, and dedication, set against the vibrant backdrop of Grodzisk Mazowiecki and Kielce.

At the heart of this grand event is Piotr Patłaszyński, a respected figure in the dance world whose contributions to the International Dance Organization (IDO) span decades. From his humble beginnings as a dancer and instructor in Poland to becoming a pivotal force in the IDO, Piotr’s journey is one of passion and perseverance.

In a recent interview, Piotr reflected on his career, sharing insights into his dual roles as the President of the Polish Dance Federation and a global event organizer. He spoke of the challenges and joys of orchestrating world-class competitions, the cultural richness of the host cities, and the profound impact dance has on fostering artistic growth and international unity.

Here it is:

1. You have a rich history in the IDO both as an organizer and a judge. Could you tell us what initially drew you to the world of dance and how your journey in the IDO began?

It was the „old days” of the last millennium.

I started as a dancer, then an instructor, and joined the Polish Dance Federation, the largest Polish dance federation. It was here that I passed my first exams and in 20023 I joined the IDO as a judge during the Championships in Moscow. It was there that I met R.I.P. Bill Fowler, who became the godfather of the dance competitions I organized in Mikołajki. It was thanks to him that for many years over 30,000 dancers came to this, as it was called, Temple of Dance, where we held the IDO European and World Jazz, Modern, Ballet Championships continuously until 2016.

2. As the president of the Polish Dance Federation, how do you balance your responsibilities between national and international dance events? What are some of the unique challenges you face in this dual role?

The pace at which I work is a rollercoaster. In 2023, in the first half of the year, out of 182 days, I was away from home 109. Luckily, my wonderful wife Sylwana works in the same industry, so we can spend most of that time together.

In the Federation, we have a calendar planned for a year in advance, the same is true in IDO, so there is a good chance of combining competitions, unless there is Sports Cheerleading, which in Poland, as a sport, I am the founder of.

3. What do you think makes this competition unique and how do you ensure that it maintains high standards year after year?

For me personally and the entire organizing team, including Leszek Cichocki, my friend and business partner, each competition is a celebration and another challenge. We do not do anything based on duplicating the scheme, even if it is the same, it is always discussed and prepared in detail. The greatest value is the dancers and it is for them that we prepare the competitions. However, we remember the judges and officials very much, they are not just an extra but a valuable guest, whom we want to treat and welcome as a VIP. That is why at our competitions you will always find a person dedicated only to the judges, you will never eat fast food, and the hotel will meet good standards.

4. What are the places WORTH VISITING in the cities of Grodzisk Mazowiecki and Kielce? Tell us a little about the history, attractions that must be seen, places worth seeing, ...

Grodzisk Mazowiecki is a city located 30 km from Warsaw, where I had the pleasure of living. You will find a beautiful promenade in it, and in the hall where we hold the Championships you will find an astronomical observatory. I invite every dancer to it to find their star in the sky.

Kielce is the heart of the Świętokrzyskie region, beautiful castles, many monuments and the spirit of history with one of the most beautiful amphitheaters in Europe KADZIELNIA, but about Kielce I encourage you to talk to my wife, Sylwana comes from Kielce.

5. What impact do you think dance competitions have on the dance community, both in terms of artistic development and cultural exchange?

It's hard to describe. When you see several thousand dancers in a parade at once, when hundreds of flags and smiling faces enter the stage under one IDO logo, you know you've landed on the best team. There's no coincidence here and I'm glad that the organizers help and inspire each other. What you did in Macedonia will go down in the history of IDO parades and you, Trajche, are an example I take from others.

6. Can you share any memorable moments or performances from previous IDO COMPETITIONS that stood out to you as particularly innovative or inspiring?

Organizing one or several events every year, it's hard to choose just one, but I will emphasize the importance for us as organizers and for the IDO World Championships at the SANGATE Hotel in Warsaw in 2021... I have the impression that thanks to these competitions we rose like a phoenix from the ashes. It was a very difficult logistical event, distances, masks and everything related to the pandemic, I hope this time will never come back. At the end of that competition, Velibor and I hugged and said, but we did it anyway.

It's time to say Thank you IDO for your trust, we did it again!

7. As an experienced IDO judge, how do you maintain objectivity when judging performances, especially when the level of talent is exceptionally high?

Yes, you are right, the level of IDO dancers is on the threshold of professional dance and often merges with it. As a judge, I want to be "Primus inter pares", if you want to judge in the IDO, you have to be humble towards art and deepen your knowledge all the time.

8. What do you think are the most important elements that distinguish a good performance from an exceptional one in dance competitions?

I will answer briefly here, exceptional is the one that you remember for a long time, maybe for ever. I still remember the performance of a group from South Africa (Secret Garden) from IDO World Show Dance Championships in Riesa, where when the scores were raised (as it was then) all the judges did a standing ovation. It is impossible to forget that.

9. Looking back on your career, what achievements are you most proud of and how, in your opinion, will your work influence the future of dance competitions within the IDO and beyond?

I will definitely and responsibly answer that creating the Competition at the Gołębiewski Hotel in Mikołajki changed the way we look at dance in Poland and around the world. Ask anyone who has been in the IDO for years about Mikołajki, and you will know everything.

Today this legend is coming back, for now as a Dance Festival, what will happen next, time will tell.
As a visionary, I have it planned in my head for the coming years and I want to talk about it in a wider group .

10. Message to the IDO community...

In my professional work and private life, I am guided by a motto I created for myself, which I share with all of you and encourage you to use:

"... think, believe, dream... HAVE COURAGE...".

See you on the dance floors of the World, may the force be with You!
Piotr Patłaszyński