The Hague - Ted Brandsen, director and choreographer of the Dutch National Ballet, Olga Smirnova, Prima ballerina and Principal dancer, as well as choreographer Alexei Ratmansky, associate artist of Dutch National Ballet, have all been appointed ‘Chevallier des Arts et Lettres’ by the French Ministry of Culture.This French state award of the Order of Arts and Letters recognises those who have distinguished themselves in the artistic or literary fields, and those who have contributed to the influence of the Arts and Lettres in France and throughout the world. Ted Brandsen and Olga Smirnova will receive their insignia of Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters from François Alabrune, the Ambassador of France to the Netherlands. The ceremony will be held on 5 March 2026 at the French Residency in The Hague.Alexei Ratmansky will receive his insignia at a date yet to be determined in New York, where he currently resides.Ted Brandsen – short biographyTed Brandsen has been the director of Dutch National Ballet since 2003. His leadership ushered in a new heyday for the company, which now ranks among the top leading ballet companies in the world. In 2014, Stichting Dansersfonds ’79 presented Brandsen with the Merit Award. In 2019, the Mayor of Amsterdam Femke Halsema presented Brandsen with the Amsterdam Prize for Art, in the category ‘Proven Quality’, and in June 2022 he was appointed Knight in the Order of the Dutch Lion.
Olga Smirnova – short biographyOlga Smirnova studied at the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet. Immediately after graduating from the academy in 2011, she joined the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow, where she was immediately awarded the rank of soloist, and in 2016 she became prima ballerina of the Bolshoi Theatre. In 2022, she joined Dutch National Ballet as a principal dancer. Smirnova performs worldwide as a guest artist and has received numerous important professional awards, including our DANZA&DANZA award and recently the Alexandra Radius Prize.
Alexei Ratmansky – short biographyChoreographer Alexei Ratmansky's work is performed by nearly all major ballet companies worldwide. Since 2023, Ratmansky has been artist-in-residence at New York City Ballet. In 2024, Ratmansky was appointed Associate Artist with Dutch National Ballet. In 2010, he created a new, widely acclaimed production of Don Quixote for Dutch National Ballet. He has also created numerous original works, several of which are now part of Dutch National Ballet’s repertoire.
Ratmansky has received many international awards for his ballets.
Performances by Dutch National Ballet in Paris
From 25 to 28 June 2026, Dutch National Ballet will give four performances at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris. The programme contains four ballets by Hans van Manen: Adagio Hammerklavier, Frank Bridge Variations, Solo and 5 Tangos.
