At the opening press conference Dr Vladimir Orlic stressed that in its more than two decades of existence the Festival has become a prestigious manifestation that, year after year, wins over new audiences, sets new trends and presents new, young authors and productions on their way to affirmation. "The fact that some of today's most influential critics and representatives of the world's culture media are coming to our country speaks volumes about the quality of this year's programme, as does the fact that many of the performances have already been sold out. The arrival of artists whose works have been seen by more than 200,000 people in the Louvre and the presentation of a piece that united the talents of Charlie Chaplin's daughter and granddaughter are also a strong confirmation of the importance of our festival in the world," said Dr Orlic.

He stressed that the Belgrade Dance Festival keeps confirming again and again that it has its important and well-deserved place on the world map of cultural and artistic centres. "In the same way, in previous years, through cooperation with its friends and partners, as well as through the development it had achieved not only in the sphere of culture, but the economy, business, infrastructure, our country confirms that it is part of the world. It will prove this in a particularly important way in 2027, as the host of the famous International Specialized Exhibition EXPO," said Dr Orlic.

Concluding his speech, he praised the traditional cooperation the National Assembly and the Belgrade Dance Festival have been cultivating for years, stressing that it will continue in the future.

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture Maja Gojkovic, Director of the Belgrade Dance Festival Aja Jung, as well as numerous members of the diplomatic corps also spoke at the conference in the National Assembly House.