The Brno Open continues its cooperation with the Emil Foundation. Dance becomes a space for inclusion
The Brno Open International Dance Festival is expanding its activities and entering a new phase. Starting this year, it is officially cooperating with the Emil Foundation, an organisation that has been supporting children and young people with disabilities through sport for more than two decades.
The common goal is to create a space where dance connects, inspires and breaks down barriers.
Combining professional sport and aid
Brno Open, a prestigious competition in standard and Latin American dance, attracts hundreds of competing couples from all over the world every year.
This year, however, it brings a deeper dimension to the dance world – an expansion of the social overlap that connects professional performance with humanity.
“Dance has great power – it can unite people across ages, nationalities and abilities.
Cooperation with the Emil Foundation is a natural step for us.
We want to open up Brno Open to those who may have stood on the sidelines until now,” says Jan Tománek, one of the festival’s organisers.
The Emil Foundation helps children and young people with disabilities to play sports, compete and dream.
His key project is the Emil Open – the European Games for Disabled Youth, hosted annually by Brno. The cooperation with the Brno Open thus connects two important Brno events and underlines that the city of Brno is an open and inclusive centre of culture and sport.
What will the cooperation bring?
The joint activities will take several forms:
Dance performances by disabled children and young people as part of the Brno Open programme – as guests or as part of ceremonies.
Educational workshops and discussions on inclusion, movement and prejudice against people with disabilities.
Opportunity for Emil supported athletes to participate in workshops and training sessions led by professional dancers.
A joint fundraising event with proceeds going to support young dance talents with disabilities.
The first concrete performances are planned for this October, when Brno will host the WDSF World Latin Dance Championships as part of the Brno Open 2025.
Dance as a tool for change
“With this partnership we want to show that dance is not just a competition for technique and medals. It is a language of the body, joy and connection.
And this is regardless of our possibilities or limitations,” adds Jan Tománek.
The beginning of a long-term cooperation
The organizers of both institutions believe that this is not a one-off project, but the beginning of a permanent connection between the dance and inclusive scene in the Czech Republic. In the future, they plan to be involved in other events, including school programmes, inclusive festivals or the joint project “Dancing with Emil”.
🟠 Brno Open 2025 will take place from 17 to 19 October at the Starez Arena on Vodova Street. For more information, please visit www.brnoopen.eu
🔵 To learn more about the activities of the Emil Foundation, please visit www.emilnadace.cz
