The Third Carmen Mateu Young Artist European Award, Opera and Dance, held by the Castell de Peralada Foundation, was awarded on 21 November at a prize-giving at the Great Hall of the Monastery of Santa Maria de Pedrables, recognising Botis Sevas who prevailed over a field of 34 candidates from eleven countries.

Isabel Suqué Mateu, President of the Castell de Peralada Foundation, said in her speech that “the intent of the Carmen Mateu Award is to promote the disciplines of opera and dance on the European stage and to enhance their prestige by giving recognition to the achievements of young artists and actively supporting the future development of their artistic careers.”

Dancer, choreographer and artistic director of Acosta Dance and Birmingham Royal Ballet, Carlos Acosta; Iratxe Ansa, winner of the National Prize for Dance 2020, ballerina, choreographer and co-founder of Metamorphosis Dance; choreographer and artistic director of the Sydney Dance Company, Rafael Bonachela; and choreographer, artistic director and Clore Cultural Leadership Fellow and director designate of Ballet Zurich, Cathy Marston, made up the internationally acclaimed jury appointed for this year's Award. The jury make special mention of the original, authentic and original voice of the winner. His ability to integrate staging into his choreography with visually striking results, and the interaction of all the components and his original, personal choreographic language combine to produce truly moving works.
The members of the jury also highlighted the significance to the career and artistic development of this young choreographer of winning the Carmen Mateu Young Artist European Award.

Botis Seva is a dance artist, choreographer and director working within the realms of contemporary dance, physical theatre and hip hop. Botis Seva is entrenched in hip hop dance theatre but experiments with form, structure and theatrics to reinvent choreography. Borrowing techniques from film, text, art and other dance languages, Botis’ focus is on making a difference and using his autobiographical experiences to drive narratives. Born and raised in London, Botis was introduced to dance aged 15, through hip hop dance theatre experimentalist Tony Adigun from Avant Garde Dance. After a brief performance career with Avant Garde Dance and leaving Barking Broadway college after a year, Botis realised he had his own creative urges and founded Far From The Norm aged 19. Internationally Botis has been recognised by leading European choreography competitions and initiatives including the Ballett Gesellschaft Hannover eV competition, Germany and Copenhagen International Choreograph Competition, where he won 1st place and various audience prizes, resulting in cash prizes and a residency with Australian Dance Theatre. He was also an Aerowaves Twenty17 artist, presenting work in Norway and Denmark as part of Spring Forward.

Botis has also been nominated/awarded a variety of prestigious UK awards including the Critics Circle National Dance Awards for Emerging Artist, Best Independent Company and Best Modern Choreography; Best New Dance Production at the Black British Theatre Awards; Bonnie Bird Marion North Choreography Mentoring Award.

Congratulations to him!

More info: carmenmateuaward.com