World
Ballet Day
2026

The Norwegian National Ballet is proud to take part in this worldwide celebration of ballet’s unique ability to tell stories, move audiences and open new perspectives. 

A pas de deux from Anna Karenina 

Our contribution is a filmed pas de deux from our upcoming Main Stage production Anna Karenina, choreographed by Christian Spuck. The ballet is based on Leo Tolstoy’s tragic love story, a novel often described as one of the greatest works of world literature. 

At the heart of the story is Anna Karenina, who risks her marriage, her family and her place in society for her passionate love for the young officer Vronsky. What begins as an all-consuming romance gradually becomes a story of isolation, jealousy and despair. 

The extract is the final duet between Anna and Vronsky. By this point, their relationship has begun to unravel, and the love that once gave Anna a sense of freedom has become fraught with doubt and desperation. In this final pas de deux, Christian Spuck lets movement express what the characters can no longer put into words. 

The roles of Anna Karenina and Vronsky are danced by Grete Sofie Borud Nybakken and Douwe Dekkers. 

Storytelling for more people 

We want our stories to reach as many as possible. The video therefore includes sign language interpretation and audio description, enabling more people to experience how the story of Anna and Vronsky is told through dance. 

Thank you to Supervisuell for sign language interpretation and Universell Utforming for subtitles and audio description. 

A worldwide digital celebration 

On World Ballet Day, ballet companies around the world share performance extracts, rehearsals, conversations and behind-the-scenes glimpses through their own digital channels. 

Join the celebration and discover how stories are created and brought to life through dance.