Tuesday, April 21, 2026, Ileana Berlogea Hall, 1st floor, 2 – 2:45 PM
Snejana Apostol, Zoia Guțu, The Evolution of Stage Dance in European Countries, USM Polygraphic Center, Chișinău, 2025
Brief presentation of the book:
This monograph explores the development of European stage dance from the 12th to the 21st century, analyzing its historical, sociocultural, and choreographic foundations. Adopting a dichotomous framework (classical–non-classical) and a three-dimensional perspective encompassing historical, philosophical–cultural, and choreographic aspects, the study traces key evolutionary stages, stylistic and technical features of different periods, and trends in European modernism and postmodernism. It also examines the role of national stage dance within European culture and identifies the foundations of contemporary choreographic art. Structured with an introduction, three chapters, conclusions, recommendations, an extensive bibliography, and an appendix, the monograph is supported by analytical tables and the authors’ prior research. It serves as a theoretical and pedagogical resource for choreographic education, informing curricula, university courses, and methodological guides.
The book review
“This monograph stands as a remarkable renewal in the scholarship of European stage dance, weaving together centuries of artistic evolution with keen analytical insight. Traversing the 12th to the 21st century, it illuminates the interplay of historical, sociocultural, and choreographic forces that shaped both classical and non-classical traditions. Richly structured and rigorously documented, the work not only maps stylistic and technical developments but also offers a profound reflection on the philosophical and cultural foundations of dance. It is a vital resource, renewing our understanding of European choreography while inspiring new pedagogical and creative pathways.”
Simona Șomăcescu
Snejana Apostol – choreographer, director, Academy of Music, Theater and Fine Arts, Republic of Moldova. PhD in Arts and University Lecturer, Snejana APOSTOL has dedicated more than two decades to training young artists in choreography, acting, and directing. Devoted to the stage, she worked as a choreographer at the “Luceafărul” and “Guguță” theatres, where she also coordinated major cultural projects within the Ministry of Culture. Her activity as founder and leader of the musical-choreographic theatre “Bravissimo Dance Group” has been distinguished by numerous international awards received in Croatia, Romania, the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, and France, confirming the artistic value and expressiveness of her creations. For Snejana Apostol, each production – whether for stage, film, or competition – becomes a harmonious synthesis of discipline, emotion, and tradition, transformed into a vivid and expressive choreographic language. Guided by the belief that dance can change destinies, she continues her artistic journey both on stage and alongside students, building a story shaped through rehearsals, tours, creation, and the tireless desire to share the beauty of art.
Zoia Guțu, PhD in Pedagogy, is a choreographer, University Professor, and Head of the Department of Choreographic Art at the Academy of Music, Theatre and Fine Arts in Moldova. A graduate of the State Institute of Culture in Moscow, she has been part of AMTAP since 1986. She played a key role in creating academic programs in choreography and modernizing arts education. Her artistic portfolio includes numerous original stage productions showcased nationally and internationally. In 1999 she founded the student ensemble Polidans, which she continues to lead. The ensemble has earned multiple awards and is recognized as a leading representative of Moldovan choreographic art. For her collaboration with the MAI Model Orchestra, she received the state distinction Cross “For Merit,” Class II. Professor Guțu is the author of monographs, methodological guides, and specialized studies in the field. Her research has significantly influenced choreographic pedagogy and theory. She has supervised doctoral and master’s theses and contributed to national and international educational initiatives.
