The competition was established by the European Broadcasting Union in 1985 as a partner to its other flagship youth competition, Eurovision Young Musicians. The first competition was held in Reggio Emilia, Italy, in 1985, and won by the 15-years-old Spanish dancer Arantxa Agüelles. Since then, the event has been hosted by nine other European cities: Schwetzingen (1987), Paris (1989), Helsinki (1991), Stockholm (1993), Lausanne (1995), Gdansk (1997), Lyons (1999), London (2001) and Amsterdam (2003).

Many of the past winners of Eurovision Young Dancers are nowadays enjoying notable careers all over the world. Arantxa Agüelles, the first ever winner, later went on to be director of the Ballet de Zaragoza in Spain. Angès Letestu, winner for contemporary dance in 1989, is now principal at the Paris Opera Ballet and returned to co-host the 8th Eurovision Young Dancers competition in Lyons in 1999.

Other past winners are to be found dancing at the Stuttgarter and Hamburg Ballets (Katja Wünsche and Johan Stegli, the winners in 1999), the New York City Ballet (Antonio Carnena Dan Jose, 1997 winner), as first soloist with the Royal Ballet in London (Zenaida Yanowski, winner 1993) or as soloist with the Royal Danish Ballet (Rose Gad Poulsen, first prize in 1987). Polish Finalists of the Competition are also making the important careers: Jacek Breś (1993) is dancing in Hamburg Ballet, Filip Barankiewicz (1995) is a first soloist at the Stuttgarter Ballet, Marcin Krajewski (1999) is a soloist at Berliner Staatsoper Ballet and Dawid and Marcin Kupinsky – winners of 2001 are dancing at Royal Theatre Ballet in Copenhagen.

This year’s competition has adopted a new formula, attractive both to participants and viewers: the event begins with Master Courses for all the candidates who arrive in Poland. Florence Clerc, Irek Mukhamedov and Christopher Bruce have agreed to host the Courses (see below). On the 4th day of courses the Masters will select the finalists and the dances to be performed in the Final Gala. The Courses are a rare opportunity for young dancers starting their careers to meet and learn from great artists. Fragments of the courses will be featured in the Final, while the German group Boom Town will produce a documentary.

The Competition repertoire includes classical and modern dance, but this year not jazz or hip-hop. Both solo artist and couples can take part, dancing for no more than seven minutes and new choreographies are particularly encouraged. Each year there is an overall winner, but second and third prizes are also awarded in the form of a Eurovision trophy.

The jury is always made up of internationally renowned artists and personalities in the dance world. Past jury presidents have included Boris Eifman, director of the St. Petersburg Ballet, (1999), the renowned Russian ballerina Maya Plisietskaya (1997) and Maurice Béjart (1995), director of the Béjart Ballet, Lausanne. The juries not only ensure the high quality of the competitions, but also believe in the ability of these competitions to encourage and support young performers.

Maya Plisietskaya, president of the 1997 Young Dancers Jury says:
– I can think of no greater contribution towards the future of dance than the support of emerging artists. For the last 20 years, the Eurovision competitions have encouraged the finest young dancers in Europe to reach their full potential before their peers and a television audience of millions. TVP approached Maya Plisetskaya with an invitation to sit on this year’s jury as Member of Honour, which the legendary dancer accepted with joy.

Yet for the winners, and indeed for all the participants, the importance of taking part in the Eurovision competitions cannot only be measured in prizes. For every participant it offers a chance to compete at the highest level and to perform before a large audience spread across Europe.