Prix de Lausanne

The Prix de Lausanne is an international competition for young dancers that has been held annually in Lausanne since 1973. The SAPA Foundation is responsible for archiving the associated collection and preserves numerous sets of documents relating to the competition. In connection with the exhibition Envol. Le Prix de Lausanne, 50 years of dance, shown in 2022 at the Historical Museum of Lausanne and co-organised by the SAPA Foundation, we present these archival holdings.

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Prix de Lausanne collection

The archive of the Prix de Lausanne extends to 11 linear metres and was transferred to the SAPA Foundation between 2019 and 2021 by the Fondation en faveur de l'Art Chorégraphique (FAC), which organises the competition. The collection includes organisational records, correspondence, promotional materials, press articles, and analogue photographs of participants and behind-the-scenes events from 1973 to 2006. Processing of this collection is ongoing, but the following sub-collections can already be identified: seasons (1983 to 2006), correspondence, partners, decision-making bodies and photographs.

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Philippe and Elvire Braunschweig collection

The collection of Philippe and Elvire Braunschweig is even larger, at 31 linear metres. It was transferred in two stages: first in 1998 to the Schweizer Tanzarchiv (Swiss Dance Archive), and later in 2013 to the Schweizer Tanzsammlung (Swiss Dance Collection), its successor institution. Both are predecessors of the SAPA Foundation, established in 2017. The first donation was made by Philippe Braunschweig personally, the second by his son Georges Braunschweig. Processing is still underway, but materials relating to the Prix de Lausanne have already been identified. Particularly noteworthy are the sub-collections Fondation en faveur de l'Art Chorégraphique (FAC) and Prix de Lausanne from the period during which Philippe and Elvire Braunschweig led these institutions (1973–1996).

Also of note are smaller sets of documents, such as the archives of Dieter Ammann and of Compagnie Linga, which include a number of video recordings of choreographies created specifically for the competition.

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The SAPA Foundation welcomes interest in these collections and is pleased to provide information and access by appointment.