Breakthrough Festival 2025
The Breakthrough Festival will take place from September 4 to 7 at Tanzhaus Zurich and Jugendkulturhaus Dynamo, bringing international breakdancers, visionary stage art, and hip-hop culture to Zurich, along with an extensive supporting program.
With a stage production by Rafael Smadja created especially for the festival, world-class battles, the Shift installation, a children's and family program, talks, workshops, and an award for commitment to the scene, the festival is not only a highlight for dance enthusiasts, but also a dynamic statement for diversity, community, and a change of perspective.
The festival presents battles in various categories: from the legendary “United Styles Europe” to the “Powermove Battle” and the popular “Naughty 40’s.” The full-length stage production “We meet here”, choreographed by Rafael Smadja, is composed of an interdisciplinary ensemble from the Swiss hip-hop and dance scene.
Founded in 2011 and directed by Olivia Hernandez-Candelas, the Breakthrough Festival was awarded the prestigious Swiss Dance Prize by the Federal Office of Culture (BAK) in 2021.