( CNN ) -- For Poland 's National Ballet , the present no longer means reveling in the fleet-footed legends of past stage glories . Instead , the focus is on creating a program as international and challenging as that of any major company on the planet . The country 's national ballet has been up and running since April 2009 ( when it was given artistic autonomy within the existing structures of the Teatr Wielki `` Grand Theater '' in Warsaw ) , pushing out exciting new works and stage shows to wide acclaim . Polish ballet 's reputation has subsequently been given a new lease of life and the company 's output has been positively received . See also : Why you should get to know Polish literature . At the helm of this transformation is Krzysztof Pastor , a globally renowned choreographer from Gdansk , northern Poland . Pastor returned to the land of his birth from the Netherlands -- where he still holds a post as a resident choreographer at the Dutch National Ballet -- to take up the post of director when the new company was formed . `` For everyone in Poland , not only for ballet dancers but also in other jobs , you know one has to be innovative , creative , '' Pastor explained . `` That 's the importance of art . We should be sort of avant-garde ( with ) this creativity and innovation , '' he added . Representing modern Poland . Pastor 's mission is to create a dance company that reflects Poland 's rebirth after a turbulent century of wars , occupations and repression . According to the Teatr Wielki , ballet has played a prominent role in Polish culture since as far back as the 16th century when the first choreographed displays began appearing in the country 's royal courts . During the romantic period of the 19th century , the Warsaw Ballet was even considered one Europe 's leading ensembles . But Poland 's traumatic experiences in the 20th century meant a lower output than in previous generations on the ballet front : not anymore . See also : Polish street art goes large . `` Somebody asked me what I think and how the company should be in the future , '' Pastor said . `` I think it should reflect the society , you know , with ambitions . '' Attracting international talent . With scores of dancers and productions , the complex artistic operation is far from a one-man-show . But according to prima ballerina Marta Feidler the potential of this dance company could only have been fulfilled with Pastor 's homecoming . `` We were really happy because we felt that it was really ( an ) opportunity for us to change something from the old years , when everything was so strict and closed actually , not opened for the world . `` So he ( Pastor ) changed a lot of things of thinking , of showing the dancers how it 's supposed to work , '' she added . Part of being open and creative means the national ballet is now an international company and a place where people from outside Poland want to dance and work . See also : Explore Poland 's majestic cultural heritage . For Pastor , this means attracting the best talent to Poland from around the world . `` Our mission is to go outside and show that we are a young , dynamic , innovative and creative company . I think I have accomplished something but I 'm also aware that there is still a long way to go , '' he said .
Poland 's National Ballet is going from strength to strength . The company has been performing in the United States for more than a decade and recently performed at Carnegie Hall, New York City Opera House, Lincoln Center Theater as well as other venues around the world Pastor sees his work as reflecting a new , confident and outgoing Poland .