LINKAGE
A platform for contemporary choreography and new artistic voices
LINKAGE is an international choreographic competition dedicated to contemporary dance and the artists who shape its future. It brings together emerging choreographers from different countries, cultures and artistic backgrounds, creating a space where distinctive ideas, movement practices and perspectives can meet.
At the heart of LINKAGE is the belief that choreography is not only about movement, but also about connection — between artists and audiences, between different cultures and artistic languages, and between established practices and new ideas.
Through its live final, LINKAGE gives choreographers the opportunity to present their work in a professional theatre environment, encounter an international artistic community and gain visibility for their artistic practice. The competition celebrates individuality, experimentation, artistic courage and the diversity of contemporary choreographic expression.
OUR STORY
LINKAGE was created as a platform for choreographers to present concise contemporary works and to encounter new audiences, professionals and fellow artists.
From its first edition, the competition has focused on original choreographic works presented as solos or duets. Its format gives artists the freedom to develop their own artistic language while creating a concentrated and accessible encounter between choreography and the audience.
Over the years, LINKAGE has grown into an international meeting point for choreographers from Europe, Asia, North America, South America and Africa. More than 1,200 choreographers have applied to its first six editions, while 68 artists and choreographic projects have reached the final stage of the competition.
The seventh edition continues this development, bringing together a new generation of choreographers and expanding the network of artistic connections created through LINKAGE.
LINKAGE IN NUMBERS
6 Editions
Seven editions dedicated to contemporary choreography.
1,200+ Applications
Choreographers from Europe, Asia, North America, South America and Africa have applied to the competition.
68 Finalists
Artists and choreographic projects have reached the live final across the first six editions.
5 Continents
LINKAGE has attracted applications from across the global contemporary dance community.
OUR HISTORY
2020 ●────────────────────
1st Edition
52 Applicants
12 Finalists
Online
────────────────────● 2021
2nd Edition
87 Applicants
10 Finalists
Online
2022 ●────────────────────
3rd Edition
128 Applicants
12 Finalists
State Opera – Stara Zagora
────────────────────● 2023
4th Edition
206 Applicants
11 Finalists
State Opera – Stara Zagora
2024 ●────────────────────
5th Edition
374 Applicants
12 Finalists
State Opera – Stara Zagora
────────────────────● 2025
6th Edition
325 Applicants
11 Finalists
State Opera – Stara Zagora
OUR MISSION
LINKAGE exists to support contemporary choreography by creating opportunities for artists to present, develop and share their work.
Our mission is to:
- provide emerging choreographers with a professional platform for presenting their work;
- encourage originality, experimentation and individual artistic voices;
- connect artists from different countries, cultures and choreographic backgrounds;
- create meaningful encounters between choreographers, audiences and professionals;
- contribute to the visibility and development of contemporary dance;
- build lasting artistic connections beyond the competition itself.
OUR VISION
We believe that the future of contemporary dance is shaped by exchange.
LINKAGE aims to continue developing as an open international platform where artists can meet, take artistic risks, discover different perspectives and create new connections.
The competition looks beyond a single stage or a single edition. Our ambition is to build a growing network of choreographers and artistic relationships that can lead to further collaborations, encounters and opportunities.
LINKAGE connects movement, ideas and people — creating space for the choreography of tomorrow.
THE TEAM
LINKAGE is created and produced by a team of professionals working across choreography, contemporary dance production and cultural management.
Filip Milanov
Competition Director / Artistic Director
Filip Milanov is a choreographer, cultural manager and one of the founders of Stream Dance Company, the organisation behind LINKAGE. He is the Competition Director and Artistic Director of LINKAGE, overseeing the artistic direction, development and production of the competition.
Through his work with LINKAGE and Stream Dance Company, he is engaged in creating opportunities for contemporary choreographers and developing international artistic connections.
Valeri Milenkov
Co-Founder
Valeri Milenkov is a choreographer and co-founder of Stream Dance Company. Together with Filip Milanov, he has been involved in the development of Stream Dance's artistic and production activities since its establishment.
Elena Marinova
Communications Coordinator
Elena Marinova is responsible for communication with LINKAGE finalists and supports their coordination before and during the competition. She also manages the competition's social media presence, creating and sharing content that presents the participating artists, choreographers and their work to a wider audience.
Siyka Lapachka
PR & Public Relations Coordinator
Siyka Lapachka works in public relations and communications, supporting LINKAGE's media presence and relations with audiences, institutions and partners. She is also part of the public relations team of the State Opera – Stara Zagora, bringing extensive experience in cultural communications and working within a major performing arts institution. At LINKAGE, she contributes to the visibility of the competition and its artists through strategic communication and media relations.
A GROWING INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
Over the course of its editions, LINKAGE has brought together choreographers with very different artistic backgrounds, approaches and perspectives.
The diversity of the artists participating in the competition is an essential part of its identity. Each choreographer brings a different understanding of movement, performance and the relationship between body, space and audience.
For us, this diversity is not simply a characteristic of the competition. It is its strength.
LINKAGE creates a place where these different voices can exist alongside one another, creating encounters that extend beyond the competition itself.
PARTNERS & SUPPORTERS
LINKAGE is made possible through the collaboration and support of cultural institutions, artistic organisations and partners who share our commitment to contemporary dance and international artistic exchange.
The competition is supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria and is hosted by State Opera - Stara Zagora.
We are grateful to all partners, institutions, professionals and individuals whose support contributes to the development of LINKAGE and to the opportunities offered to participating choreographers.