Wang Yu-gang Becomes First Taiwanese to be Nominated for UK International Dance Award Finals Twice
Taiwanese choreographer Wang Yu-gang has made it to the finals of the prestigious UK International Dance Award "The Bloom Prize" for the second time, marking a first since the award's inception. His work "Islands" received high praise from international judges.
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- 📰 Published: April 29, 2026 at 09:56
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Chen Yun-yu, London, 29th) On International Dance Day, April 29, good news came from Taiwan's arts community. Choreographer Wang Yu-gang has once again been shortlisted for the finals of the International Dance Award, hosted by the UK's premier dance venue, Sadler's Wells Theatre, this year. He is the first choreographer to be nominated for the finals twice since the award was launched in 2024.
Sadler's Wells Artistic Director Alistair Spalding told the Central News Agency that Wang Yu-gang clearly possesses strong talent; being nominated twice, and for two consecutive terms in the international award, is a very rare phenomenon.
Sadler's Wells is the birthplace of The Royal Ballet and is regarded as a "hall-of-fame" international dance landmark. Wang Yu-gang's "Shimmering Production" is one of the few Taiwanese dance troupes, besides Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, to have been invited to perform at Sadler's Wells.
With sponsorship from an anonymous dance-loving philanthropist, Sadler's Wells launched the "The Rose International Dance Prize" and "The Bloom Prize" (for emerging choreographers) in 2024, with the first awards presented in 2025. Wang Yu-gang was a finalist in the first "The Bloom Prize," making him the first Taiwanese to achieve this.
The status of "The Rose International Dance Prize" and "The Bloom Prize" in the international dance world is comparable to the Booker Prizes in literature, considered a top-tier competition. Both "The Rose" and "The Bloom" awards are presented every two years. The judging criteria focus on choreography, with no restrictions on work style. The main difference is that "The Rose" is awarded to medium to large-scale dance works at least 55 minutes long and to choreographers with over 10 years of experience, while "The Bloom" rewards choreographers with no more than 10 years of experience, whose works are between 30 and 50 minutes long.
After layers of evaluation by nearly 20 professional judges from 7 different regions across Asia, Europe, and America, Wang Yu-gang's dance work "Islands" stood out among 42 shortlisted preliminary works.
"Islands" is the second part of Wang Yu-gang's choreography series, "Trilogy of Relations." He was previously nominated for "The Bloom Prize" finals with "Beings," the first part of the "Trilogy of Relations."
Both "Islands" and "Beings" center on the theme of "humanity." In "Islands," Wang Yu-gang presents his island nation experience, challenging, dialoguing, and questioning identity and the dynamic relationship with islands, contemplating the creative and restrictive forces that islands can exert in identity formation. He engaged in mutual challenges and dialogues with Indonesian dancer Danang Pamungkas.
Sadler's Wells Artistic Director Alistair Spalding mentioned in an interview with Central News Agency that "Islands" is not only excellent choreography but also an outstanding overall production, including props and lighting design.
Spalding pointed out that the judges for "The Rose International Dance Prize" and "The Bloom Prize" have deep, locally rooted understandings of dance art development in their respective regions, and they clearly recognized "Islands" as one of Taiwan's most outstanding dance works in recent years.
Spalding said his impression of contemporary Taiwanese dance works is that they are exquisite and delicate, especially the choreography. He believes that the development of dance art is clearly encouraged in Taiwan, as evidenced by "how many Taiwanese dance artists have performed in London over the years," and some artists have performed in the UK more than once.
Spalding also mentioned that the UK and Taiwan are both island nations, and islanders indeed have their own characteristics: they are sometimes a bit closed off, but at other times they seek to break free from the constraints of island life and aspire to sail to various parts of the world, while also embracing diverse cultures and looking forward to people from different corners of the world coming to their island.
"Islands" ponders whether one can truly begin to understand oneself only after leaving one's accustomed island, perspective, and framework. Spalding said that such contemplation resonates easily in the UK.
Sadler's Wells held a press conference on April 28, the day before International Dance Day, to announce the finalists for the 2027 "The Rose International Dance Prize" and "The Bloom Prize." Spalding was interviewed by Central News Agency afterward.
According to the plan, the 4 works shortlisted for this edition (the 2nd) of "The Rose Prize" and the 3 works shortlisted for "The Bloom Prize" will be performed at various venues under Sadler's Wells starting in late January 2027. The jury will announce the winners on February 6 after watching all live performances.
"Islands" is scheduled for two performances on February 2-3, 2027. Tickets are expected to go on sale to the general public on May 12 this year.
After being notified by the theatre of his second nomination for "The Bloom Prize," Wang Yu-gang expressed his profound honor. He thanked the judges for their recognition and felt fortunate to stand alongside so many outstanding creators from around the world, exploring and advancing together on such an important international stage.
The prize money for "The Rose International Dance Prize" and "The Bloom Prize" are £40,000 (approximately NT$1.7 million) and £15,000, respectively.
February 2027 will mark the return of "Islands" to London. The UK premiere of "Islands" was in November 2024, at The Place Theatre, another contemporary dance landmark venue in London. (Editor: Tian Rui-hua) 1150429
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(Central News Agency reporter Chen Yun-yu, London, 29th) On International Dance Day, April 29, good news came from Taiwan's arts community. Choreographer Wang Yu-gang has once again been shortlisted for the finals of the International Dance Award, hosted by the UK's premier dance venue, Sadler's Wells Theatre, this year. He is the first choreographer to be nominated for the finals twice since the award was launched in 2024.
Sadler's Wells Artistic Director Alistair Spalding told the Central News Agency that Wang Yu-gang clearly possesses strong talent; being nominated twice, and for two consecutive terms in the international award, is a very rare phenomenon.
Sadler's Wells is the birthplace of The Royal Ballet and is regarded as a "hall-of-fame" international dance landmark. Wang Yu-gang's "Shimmering Production" is one of the few Taiwanese dance troupes, besides Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, to have been invited to perform at Sadler's Wells.
With sponsorship from an anonymous dance-loving philanthropist, Sadler's Wells launched the "The Rose International Dance Prize" and "The Bloom Prize" (for emerging choreographers) in 2024, with the first awards presented in 2025. Wang Yu-gang was a finalist in the first "The Bloom Prize," making him the first Taiwanese to achieve this.
The status of "The Rose International Dance Prize" and "The Bloom Prize" in the international dance world is comparable to the Booker Prizes in literature, considered a top-tier competition. Both "The Rose" and "The Bloom" awards are presented every two years. The judging criteria focus on choreography, with no restrictions on work style. The main difference is that "The Rose" is awarded to medium to large-scale dance works at least 55 minutes long and to choreographers with over 10 years of experience, while "The Bloom" rewards choreographers with no more than 10 years of experience, whose works are between 30 and 50 minutes long.
After layers of evaluation by nearly 20 professional judges from 7 different regions across Asia, Europe, and America, Wang Yu-gang's dance work "Islands" stood out among 42 shortlisted preliminary works.
"Islands" is the second part of Wang Yu-gang's choreography series, "Trilogy of Relations." He was previously nominated for "The Bloom Prize" finals with "Beings," the first part of the "Trilogy of Relations."
Both "Islands" and "Beings" center on the theme of "humanity." In "Islands," Wang Yu-gang presents his island nation experience, challenging, dialoguing, and questioning identity and the dynamic relationship with islands, contemplating the creative and restrictive forces that islands can exert in identity formation. He engaged in mutual challenges and dialogues with Indonesian dancer Danang Pamungkas.
Sadler's Wells Artistic Director Alistair Spalding mentioned in an interview with Central News Agency that "Islands" is not only excellent choreography but also an outstanding overall production, including props and lighting design.
Spalding pointed out that the judges for "The Rose International Dance Prize" and "The Bloom Prize" have deep, locally rooted understandings of dance art development in their respective regions, and they clearly recognized "Islands" as one of Taiwan's most outstanding dance works in recent years.
Spalding said his impression of contemporary Taiwanese dance works is that they are exquisite and delicate, especially the choreography. He believes that the development of dance art is clearly encouraged in Taiwan, as evidenced by "how many Taiwanese dance artists have performed in London over the years," and some artists have performed in the UK more than once.
Spalding also mentioned that the UK and Taiwan are both island nations, and islanders indeed have their own characteristics: they are sometimes a bit closed off, but at other times they seek to break free from the constraints of island life and aspire to sail to various parts of the world, while also embracing diverse cultures and looking forward to people from different corners of the world coming to their island.
"Islands" ponders whether one can truly begin to understand oneself only after leaving one's accustomed island, perspective, and framework. Spalding said that such contemplation resonates easily in the UK.
Sadler's Wells held a press conference on April 28, the day before International Dance Day, to announce the finalists for the 2027 "The Rose International Dance Prize" and "The Bloom Prize." Spalding was interviewed by Central News Agency afterward.
According to the plan, the 4 works shortlisted for this edition (the 2nd) of "The Rose Prize" and the 3 works shortlisted for "The Bloom Prize" will be performed at various venues under Sadler's Wells starting in late January 2027. The jury will announce the winners on February 6 after watching all live performances.
"Islands" is scheduled for two performances on February 2-3, 2027. Tickets are expected to go on sale to the general public on May 12 this year.
After being notified by the theatre of his second nomination for "The Bloom Prize," Wang Yu-gang expressed his profound honor. He thanked the judges for their recognition and felt fortunate to stand alongside so many outstanding creators from around the world, exploring and advancing together on such an important international stage.
The prize money for "The Rose International Dance Prize" and "The Bloom Prize" are £40,000 (approximately NT$1.7 million) and £15,000, respectively.
February 2027 will mark the return of "Islands" to London. The UK premiere of "Islands" was in November 2024, at The Place Theatre, another contemporary dance landmark venue in London. (Editor: Tian Rui-hua) 1150429
Stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast, transmitted, or used without authorization.