Nikolaj Hübbe, the current artistic director of the Royal Danish Ballet, has announced that he will step down when his contract expires in 2026. Hübbe, who has held this role since 2008, will have led the ballet for 18 years at his departure. The Royal Theatre announced the news in a press release, emphasizing that the search for Hübbe’s successor will be a comprehensive international process. Kasper Holten, director of the Royal Theatre, praised Hübbe for his significant contribution to the artistic level of ballet and his role as a prominent ambassador for classical ballet. Holten noted that it would be a challenging task to find a worthy successor to Hübbe, given the high standard he has set.
Nikolaj Hübbe is also known for his role as a judge on the popular TV show “Dancing with the Stars” (Vild med dans), which has helped increase his popularity and visibility outside the world of ballet. With Hübbe’s planned departure, the Royal Theatre will soon begin the process of identifying and hiring a new ballet master who can continue the theater’s ballet tradition with the same dedication and vision as Hübbe.