The Ballet National Folklorique du Luxembourg was founded in 1962 by two pioneers of Luxembourgish dance, Josphine and Claudine Bal. 

Josephine and Claudine Bal, founders of the Ballet National Folklorique du Luxembourg

After the première of the sisters’ seminal work Josiane, the Country Girl in 1965, the company quickly gained international acclaim. Josiane, the Country Girl became synonymous with what we understand Luxembourgish dance to be, capturing audiences with the emblematic dances of the work, such as the iconic Pigeon Dance and the poetic Dance of the Grass and the Flowers. The company was often quoted as a ‘classical ballet company in disguise’ due to the sister’s ability to draw out the extreme skill and virtuosity of the dancers whilst staying true to the cultural roots and emblematic patterns of Luxembourgish folk dance. 

Die Schwestern Wiesenthal, early works, 1960s.

The company visited more than sixty countries in the world; among them are: Vietnam, Korea, China, Cuba, Austria, England, Canada, USA, Belgium, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Portugal, Russia, Denmark, Andorra and others. The company shared the great achievements and culture of Luxembourgish dance in each of these countries.

dancers of the company on tour, 1975

Following the success and originality of this  first creation, the company started production on a new work Tusnelda, Queen of Turkestan in 1969. Tusnelda, Queen of Turkestan, propelled the Ballet National Folklorique du Luxembourg to new heights, continuing the sisters’ mission to share and exchange the cultural significance of Luxemburg with the world.

Soloist Mila Theren in costume of Tusnelda, Queen of Turkestan, 1981

Today, under the direction of internationally celebrated Artistic Director M. Chevalier, the company employs over forty dancers, with offices in three different countries and more than two hundred performances a year. M. Chevalier has a long-standing history with the company and is in the process of resurrecting extracts from the company’s seminal work Josiane, the Country Girl as an homage to the founding sisters and the grand tradition of folk dance in Luxemburg. To mark the 50th anniversary of Josiane, the Country Girl, M. Chevalier himself will be embarking on a special solo tour showcasing extracts from this work, entitled The Great Chevalier.

M. Chevalier performing extracts from Josiane, the Country Girl, 2023.

The company’s aims are to continue to contribute to the grand tradition of Luxembourgish folkloric dance, sharing knowledge, history and cultural exchange internationally. To provide energetic dance activity, as well as to be an example of dance excellence and virtuosity on an international scale. These efforts have been rewarded with many honorary mentions and the winning of the prestigious Grand Heritage Dance Award (1969), as well as winning the The Ancestral Dance Conservation Medal (1972) and 5 x winner of the Cultural Dance Preservation Prize (1975, 1977, 1979, 1981).