Pina Bausch Foundation

Pina Bausch was a dancer and choreographer. Her dance pieces are shown in many theaters around the world. Pina Bausch died in 2009.

In the same year, her son Salomon Bausch established the Pina Bausch Foundation. The Foundation is a non-profit foundation. It holds the artistic legacy of Pina Bausch. This includes the rights to Pina Bausch's pieces.

The Foundation's goal is to ensure that Pina Bausch's pieces are performed again and again on stage, all over the world.
Many dancers shall receive the opportunity to dance the choreographies. This way they can experience the work of Pina Bausch on a personal level. Also, as many people as possible shall be able to see the work of Pina Bausch on stage.

The Foundation grants licenses (permits) to the Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch and international companies that want to perform Pina Bausch's pieces. For transmissions to international theaters, the Foundation works closely with former and current dancers of Tanztheater Wuppertal. They repeatedly transmit their roles to new generations of dancers. Many of them have worked with Pina Bausch for a long time. Passing on this knowledge is very important to be able to perform the pieces in the long-term.

The Foundation wants to find answers to questions, such as

• What constitutes a piece by Pina Bausch?
• Does a piece change over time?
• How does a role change when it's danced by a new dancer?
• What is the most important aspect about a specific role? The Foundation wants to find answers to questions, such as

Pina Bausch created many pieces - over 45. Some are performed very regularly. Others have not been danced for a long time. That's why it's especially important to document the excisting knowledge about the pieces: to preserve them for the future. The Foundation and Tanztheater Wuppertal jointly consider, which pieces should be performed in the upcoming years. This way, the rehearsals can be documented and the knowledge can be passed on to new generations of dancers.

The Foundation also has extensive archives. The archives contain many photos, videos and documents related to Pina Bausch's work. The archives are central to the work with Pina Bausch's pieces and their transmissions. The photos and videos are used during rehearsals. The costumes and stage sets are also documented in the archives.

The archives continue to grow with each performance.

Some archive material can be seen on the Foundation's website. More and more are being added. So anyone can access the materials and learn more about Pina Bausch and her work.

Here you can find more information about the Pina Bausch Archives.

The archives and the stage performances will soon find a new location. The former Schauspielhaus Wuppertal will become the Pina Bausch Centre. It will be an international place for dance. The Pina Bausch Centre will create encounters with the work of Pina Bausch and promote cultural exchange.

Here you can find more information about the Pina Bausch Zentrum.