Facts: About the Award for Artistic Excellence in Dance

• Audi Hungaria has supported Győr Ballet since 1998 and has been its principal sponsor since 2002.

• Audi Hungaria established the award in 2014.

• The recognition honours the outstanding professional and artistic achievements of Győr Ballet’s dancers.

• Each year, the award is presented to one member of the company.

• The 2026 recipient of the award is ballet artist Eszter Kovács.

• Audi Hungaria has been a committed supporter of Győr Ballet and the cultural life of the region for many years.

“Quality, dedication and continuous development are defining values both in the arts and industry. Our long-standing partnership with Győr Ballet demonstrates how business and culture can jointly create lasting value. With the Award for Artistic Excellence in Dance, we recognise each year the outstanding artistic achievements that contribute to the ensemble’s success and strengthen the reputation of Hungarian dance,” said Kinga Németh, Member of the Board of Management of Audi Hungaria responsible for Human Resources and Organization.

The award was presented to Eszter Kovács following the Győr premiere of the company’s new production, LOVEre. Choreographed by Mateo Mirdita, the performance transports audiences into a unique, dreamlike world. Yet LOVEre is more than the story of a museum coming to life; it is also an inner journey exploring artistic sensitivity, the search for beauty and the transformative power of art. The production explores themes of discovery, understanding, emotion and creation, taking audiences to the boundary between reality and imagination.

Eszter Kovács’ artistic career has been shaped by both the solid foundations of classical ballet and an openness to contemporary dance. After studying at the Győr Dance and Fine Arts School, she continued her studies at the Hungarian Dance University and later, as a member of Győr Ballet, demonstrated her talent and versatility in increasingly complex and challenging roles. Her performances combine technical precision with sensitive and expressive artistry, allowing her to convey not only movement but also the emotions and stories of the characters she portrays. Audi Hungaria’s Award for Artistic Excellence in Dance Art recognises her many years of dedication and consistently high artistic standards on stage.