In Memoriam Hans Van Manen

With great sadness we have learned of the passing of Hans van Manen. With him, the dance world loses one of its clearest, most intelligent, and at the same time most humane choreographic voices of the 20th and 21st centuries. Hans van Manen shaped contemporary dance with more than 150 works, characterized by elegant reduction, an eclectic sense of humor, and the subtle expression of emotions and understated nuances in interpersonal relationships. His works demand the highest musicality, precise timing, and a clear presence.

That Hans van Manen personally visited us in Hamburg twice during the past season fills us today with deep gratitude. With our company, he rehearsed his award-winning Variation for Two Couples for the ballet evening THE TIMES ARE RACING, and with the ballet school he worked on Unisono for Erste Schritte. We fondly remember the rehearsals with him, marked by his concentration, openness, and fine sense of humor. His artistic clarity was both inspiring and challenging, and we all benefited enduringly from this collaboration.

Hans van Manen showed us that great emotion does not have to be loud, and that simple clarity can carry great depth. His view on movement, on relationships, and on music will continue to live on in our repertoire, in our bodies, and in our memories. Our condolences go to his family, his companions along the way, and all who were close to him. Hamburg and the dance world will not forget him.

Hamburg, December 17th, 2025