Valentina Turcu

Valentina Turcu
Add a Photo Valentina Turcu at the Kazina Hall of the Slovenian National Theatre Maribor
Born	1974 (age 50–51) Zagreb, Yugoslavia
Occupation	Choreographer Director

Valentina Turcu (born 1974, Zagreb, Croatia) is a Croatian-Slovenian ballet choreographer and director known for her contributions to dramatic ballet. She has choreographed over 140 productions internationally and has received numerous awards for her work. Turcu was a nominee for the 2015 Kyoto Prize in Creative Arts and Moral Sciences and is a recipient of the 2018 Prešeren Fund Award, Slovenia's highest artistic honour.

Early life and education

Turcu studied ballet at the Maribor Conservatory of Music and Ballet. She further developed her skills under the mentorship of Maurice Béjart at Béjart Ballet Lausanne in the early 1990s, which significantly influenced her choreographic style.

Career

Turcu's career encompasses ballet, contemporary dance, and theatre direction. Her choreographic works combine classical and contemporary elements, with a strong emphasis on musical interpretation and literary inspiration. Critics have noted her focus on psychological depth and dramatic storytelling in her approach to ballet.

She has choreographed productions for ballet companies such as Béjart Ballet Lausanne, Slovenian National Theatre Maribor Ballet, Croatian National Theatre Zagreb Ballet, and Latvian National Ballet. Many of her works are adaptations of literary masterpieces, structured as full-length dramatic ballets.

Works

Notable choreographies

• Hamlet – Full-length dramatic ballet, produced by Béjart Ballet Lausanne, 2024.
• Madame Bovary – Full-length dramatic ballet, produced by the Croatian National Theatre Zagreb Ballet, 2022.
• Lady of the Camelias – Full length dramatic ballet, produced by the National Theatre Brno|National Theatre Brno Ballet, 2020.
• Death in Venice – Full-length dramatic ballet, co-produced by the Croatian National Theatre Zagreb Ballet and Slovenian National Theatre Maribor Ballet, 2018.
• Eugene Onegin – Full-length dramatic ballet, produced by the Slovenian National Theatre Maribor Ballet, 2016.
• Carmen – Full-length dramatic ballet, produced by the Slovenian National Theatre Maribor Ballet, 2014; Staatstheater Ballett Augsburg, 2017.
• Romeo and Juliet – Full-length dramatic ballet, produced by the Slovenian National Theatre Maribor Ballet, 2012; Latvian National Ballet Riga, 2014; National Opera and Ballet Cluj, 2023.

Stage directing

• The Reader – Slovenian National Theatre Maribor, 2011.
• A Streetcar Named Desire – Theatrical production at the Croatian National Theatre Varaždin, 2019.

Awards and recognition

• 2023 –
  • Named a Maestra Choreographer, a distinguished Romanian National Award
  • Appointed by the Croatian Ministry of Culture as a jury member for the nation’s highest artistic recognition, the Vladimir Nazor Award.
• 2019 – Croatian Actor Awards for Best Choreography and Best Ballet Production – Death in Venice
• 2018 – Prešeren Foundation Prize for the drama ballet Eugene Onegin
• 2017 – Glazer Charter Award for Eugene Onegin
• 2016 – Special Orlando Prize at the Dubrovnik Summer Festival for exceptional achievements in dance.
• 2015
  • Romeo and Juliet – Winner of the Latvijas Annual Award for Best Production.
  • Kyoto Prize Nominee in Creative Arts and Moral Sciences, praised as: “An innovator in dance theatre who unites artistic devotion and humility through a unique approach, blending classical and contemporary elements, breaking the boundaries between the written word and movement, and delivering a profound message to humanity.”
• 2013 – Pia and Pino Mlakar Award for outstanding achievement in directing and choreographing Romeo and Juliet
• 2008 – Slovene Ballet Artists Association Award for exceptional contributions to ballet, opera, and drama. The jury stated: “Through mastery of dance-theatrical expression and profound interpretation, she reaches the highest level of stage maturity and awareness. Her charismatic presence enriches our stages, and her physical expression unveils new dimensions in the understanding of dance as an art form.”
• 2007 – TEMSIG Award for Most Innovative Choreography – Rosemary.
• 2002 – Bronze Medal at the World Dance Competition in Nagoya, Japan.
• 1999 – Slovenian Ballet Artists Association Award for Best Dance Production – Tango

Critical reception

Turcu's work has received praise from international ballet critics. Dance Europe Magazine described Death in Venice (2018) as "a remarkable piece of dance" with “meticulous attention to literary and musical nuances”. Her Romeo and Juliet (2013) was noted for its “passion and theatrical instincts”, and Eugene Onegin (2017) was recognized for its “integrity and courageous re-interpretation”.

Influence and style

Turcu is known for incorporating classical ballet techniques with contemporary theatrical elements in her choreography. Her productions frequently explore psychological themes and human emotion, often drawing inspiration from literary works. She has described her artistic approach as influenced by the concept of “ethical cosmopolitanism", aiming to convey universal themes through movement.

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