I personally think that Russian and FSU Dancers are probably the best in the world.
There are many state and professional dance studios in every city and Russian Culture treats this art form with the deepest respect.
For example..
Take a look at the photo above to catch a glipse of the absolute perfect pose of this incredible ballerina.
She looks like she is being suspended by invisible wires like they do in Cirque du Soleil. And it’s pretty hard for me to imagine that she’s not so the only thing I can say like most others upon seeing this is..
“How do they do that!?!?”
Well luckily this timeless artform is about to get some international exposure with the latest release of a documentary film called “Ballerina”.
Ballerina spotlights the drive of Russian dancers
By R.M. CAMPBELL
Russian dancers have long been the subject of fascination, sometimes the men and sometimes the women. It would appear from “Ballerina,” a documentary about the Kirov Ballet, that women hold the upper edge today.
This film by Bertrand Normand takes a look at five women at the Kirov: two established stars, one hoping for a comeback after an injury, and two are young aspirants, bursting with talent and ambition.
Dance in Russia has always been a state art form, beginning in 1738 with a school founded by Empress Anna. Ballet was staged in both St. Petersburg and Moscow, but it was in St. Petersburg where it enjoyed all sorts of royal privilege and, in the 19th century, became the breeding ground for classical ballet as we know it today. Even though the Communists disdained most things associated with the aristocracy, they did not disapprove of ballet, though it was nearly choked to death in the 20th century for lack of choreographic innovation. In spite of that, the Bolshoi in Moscow, and Kirov, also known as the Maryinsky, produced great dancers.
“Ballerina” explains, in part, how those dancers are produced from the beginning: It starts with children being examined by experts, as if they are livestock, for their physical potential as dancers. Then, those who are selected go forth into the rigors of the classroom and, they hope, the stage.
Although many things are left out of the documentary, Normand has a good concept: Take a couple of girls — Alina Somova and Evgenia Obraztsova — who are on their way up the ladder and follow them. Ballet is serious business in Russia, as it is in the rest of Europe and North America, but it is more centralized and authoritarian and central to Russia’s self-image and cultural legacy.
Somova and Obraztsova’s progress from students to professionals is contrasted with three dancers who have arrived. Only one — Diana Vishneva — will be known to a non-Russian audience because she dances on a regular basis as a guest artist with leading European and American companies, such as American Ballet Theatre, where she receives rapturous attention.
All these dancers are different, but they share commitment and focus. Anyone who knows about ballet will find much to recognize in the lives of these young women, but for those who do not, the film will be a revelation.
(click here for the original article)
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Oh, I love ballet! I practised it until I was about 13, then we moved house and I had trouble finding another teacher. 10 years later I’m still actively looking for an adult ballet class. It’s mesmerising.
Would love to see you doing ballet Bella..
I take adult ballet!! Not very advanced though, unlike the lady in this picture. Russian ballet is incredible, thank you for the photo and link!
Sophie and Bella,
It’s a real turn on for me to know that there are women like you who embrace and express their femininity through classic arts like Ballet.
I just think what you girls do in that arena is magnificent and the apex of what it means to be a woman.
Please keep doing what you ladies do best and you will always have Men like myself wanting more.
Are there any articles like this about figure skating?? It was a woman names Maria Butraskaya (SP?) who really turned me on to Russian women. She was so beautiful and graceful.
I used to figure skate in school, and was constantly teased by the guys, until I had a revelation. I told them that rubbing bodies with other sweaty, stinky guys was really gay, and figure skating was hetrosexual as I got to ‘feel up’ all the good looking girls in the class and get high school credits at the same time…….
Around ten years ago, I was standing at the counter in a wonderful old seed and feed store located next to the campus of the North Carolina School for the Arts. I had just delivered some ornamental plants, and was enjoying chatting with the owner when I looked up to see an attractive, slender woman seem to almost float up the stairs out front. Moving with a fluidity and grace I had never seen, she stopped at the counter beside me, and in beautiful, accented English told the owner she would like the usual for her friends. In seconds, she tucked a bag of bird seed under one arm, and left more gracefully than she entered. As she walked back in the direction of the campus, my customer told me that she was a native of St. Petersburg, Russia, and was once a principal(or the principal) dancer for one or more of the most prestigious dance companies in all of Russia. At the time she was working as an instructor of ballet at the School of the Arts. A bird lover, she made frequent trips to the farm center for seed, and in the process charmed everyone in her path. I hardly remember the drive home. My mind was awash with visions of beautiful ballerinas whirling and twirling across stages in old theatres in faraway Russia. Sugarplum fairies and snow queens were everywhere. Life was sweet.
Good point, Wolverine. I think the sexiest women in the world are dancers, figure skaters, and tennis players; and Russia produces all 3!
Haha, wolverine, I remember Maria Butyrskaya well and although figure skating didn’t exactly turn me on to Russian women, it was a catalyst for my interest in Russia and the Russian language. Unfortunately, I come from a small town with no opportunities to learn figure skating, ballet or belly dancing, all of which I would die to try!
Oh my god I would kill to learn belly-dancing!
I have been trying for a few years now, on my own. Sigh. :]
There are lots of professional belly dancers worldwide Bella who would teach you how to belly dance. You can learn at just about any age, you don’t have to start as a child to become good at it. They’ll tell you that you’ll never have to worry about your weight because it is very good exercise and it does not batter your joints too. I’m sure there’s someone near you with whom you can take classes. Russia has some really good belly dancers and so does the U.S.
Taras
I took figure skating for a few years as a kid. All the other guys were rubbing their sweaty bodies against each other in the sport of hockey, while I was getting to feel up all the good looking girls.
I guess I already said that….. :S
That’s okay, Wolverine. We all need as much humor as we can get these days. Where’s Manoah? Have you heard from him? Chime in when you can, Manoah. I know you have something good.
Hello Sam,
It doesn’t get any better than that…
I’ve got one word – Tango – need I say more?
Wolverine now is a smart fellow. Figure skating, ballet, ballroom dancing, these are THE activities to go for if you want to meet girls. It removes the awkwardness of going up to a stranger and starting a conversation. You just ask them for a dance; perfectly good excuse for chatting it up and getting to know the person.
By the way, recently, there were two lovely St. Pete gals who showed up to teach dance lessons at the studio that I go to regularly to dance. I was curious about their impression of cultural differences and asked them whether it was a good idea to find a Russian girl for wife. The answer that she gave was quite interesting.
First, I asked what was her impression of the American gals. Her reply was that she could not really find herself to being close friends with them. Another comment she mentioned was that they are quite independent. Next, she told me that when a Russian girl does something, she does so for the both parties – meaning for her as well as for her man. She thought that the American gals tend to be independent and also to think of herself.
She asked me how old I was, 36 I replied. And she said that someone 29 or 30 would be perfect. But I told her I like someone younger like in the early to mid 20s. She replied that such young girls would not know or appreciate what a good man can provide for her in terms of life comforts. She said that older girls have been through life more and experienced more and when you can show them that you can provide for them a life of comfort. IT is something that they will appreciate more. And I thought, well, yeah that make sense. But then, I thought what about you, you’re only 22. You know what she said, “Well, I am an exception.” I busted out. That was pretty funny.
She also mentioned that it will be tough to find a Russian girl. She asked how I’ve been meeting them. I told her the internet. And her reply was that usually, these girls will only be interested in getting a ticket to come over. She also said there maybe a chance that some girl will be genuine and want to begin a new life and begin a family in a new land, but that these are in her words “one in a thousand”. I personally don’t think the odds are that bad but do agree with her after some years of personal experience that internet may be convenient but is not always the best way to go about it. I’ve recently learned about psychology and that monetary incentives involved in this business can cause human behavior to be anything but honest. For example, sometimes, the marriage agencies would write the girl’s letter for her with her unaware so that they could collect the translation fees. It can all be about generating revenues and the people behind it can have no qualms what so ever about screwing you over.
Anyhow, I’ve got some bad taste in the mouth with these agencies.
And what GL has been recommending is the far better route.
And that is to get to know the locals. Try to learn the language and maybe even go there and teach English. I’ve been communicating with some gals through mylanguageexchange.com You can have penpals with people all over the world and there are many native speakers of many languages that you can communicate with and teach each other your respective languages.
Its really interesting to hear these words from this St Pete gal. I mean, you read in this blog, about all these things going on in the world with feminism and how its really turned the sexes battling each other where no one really wins and you have an outsider come in and give her impression and its pretty much spot on. I’ve learned a great deal from here and have come to the sad conclusion that men/women relationships are rather screwed up here in the states.
About six months ago, there was a drop dead gorgeous blond who walked into the plant that I was working in. This girl was a phenom; not only was she smart as hell, she was stylish, walked in a sway, tall and slender, I mean this girl was the complete package. She had everything and when she smiled at me as we cross path in the hall way and said “Hi” in her sweet voice; I thought to myself – “Unreal” right? So excited was I that I thought I had to ask her out. This is it, no more trips half way around the world for uncertainties. So, I sent her a note telling her noticeable she was and asked her for a lunch date. Well it turns out I got a date alright, only not with her but with head of human resource. That Friday, I got a meeting request with the HR head. I thought shit, was it because I was on the internet too much, or was it because I was taking naps. I was wracking my brains right. So at the meeting, she mentioned name of the blond and said well she was concerned and asked that I not ask her out anymore. Over the ensuing months, we would continue to cross paths, and she would give her radiant smile, even say hello and I can’t help myself but smile back. Hey, I’m a guy right. But the whole experience was just surreal.
One more advice I have to give. I’ve been reading a really good book on marriage and relationships. So, its good for anyone embarking on such important life journey. The book is called “Seven Principles for making Marriage work” – John Gottman.
-Manoah
“I know you have something good.”
Very curious Sam – how you know?
Manoah,
It was a true gut feeling I guess. But you always have interesting things to say.
Wolverine is much more intelligent than I. I wasted my youth knocking heads with sweaty guys playing traditional sports because I thought that was what was expected.
I can sympathize with your problems at work. It’s just the bizarre world we live in. If it’s any consolation to you, I stay in trouble like that, because I am interested in people, and always talk with those I come in contact with. Just two weeks ago, a girl in her early teens accused me of coming on to her. Several years ago an 80-year-old woman told the girls at my barber shop that I seemed to be coming on to her, and she even asked them for my number. Jeez, what’s a guy supposed to do—wear blinders, and tell the world to go to H?
Thanks for the advice, and references. I’ll check it all out. And, Manoah, keep on being friendly, and don’t let this foolish world get you down.
You just gave a perfect example right there Manoah why having anything to do with women in the West is not worth the risk for men. People are losing the jobs in droves right now, and things like this are used as pretexts to fire people. In the end, our society will collapse because it’s nearly impossible for native born men and women to form families, and the corporations and government seek to outsource procreation to the third world. That is why I do not speak to women on the job, they are not worth the risk to my livelihood.
Taras
I think women are getting more and more paranoid about men. I’m not sure why, but I can see this.
Bella, it could be the false statistics being taught in woman’s studies across all universities. They’ve got the funding and the resources to brain wash entire generations. Feminism is very organized and they’ve managed to convert a good majority of womanhood.
Taras, the hope for the future lies within those in the present who holds onto dearly the ideals of the past!
-M
Ballet is amazing! I studied it for a long time before moving to the US.
I do think, however, that classic ballet has become a bit stale
(for my taste at least)–the movements are too rigid and unhuman. Maybe modern dance with traditional elements is a good substitute.
Maybe this is because I am too involved in the performance world.
Nevertheless, amazing art. These people dedicate their whole lives to it.
I even made a short film about ballet.
The Red Shoes is one of the most beautiful films ever made, if anyone is curious about good ballet cinema.
Blessed with a few days off, I have followed the controversy generated by Alstair MaCaulay’s review of an annual performance of “The Nutcracker” very closely. MaCaulay, a dance critic for the NEW YORK TIMES, said that Jenifer Ringer, a principal dancer with The New York Ballet cast as the Sugar Plum Fairy, “looked as if she’d eaten one sugarplum too many.” Ringer, a beautiful, well-proportioned woman, who I understand recently gave birth, responded graciously and intelligently. In a morning show interview, she was asked to comment on the new movie, “Black Swan”, which addresses image issues dancers face, etc. Her response and all the questions surrounding the dance industry piqued my interest. I spent an hour or more visiting the websites of several ballet companies, and viewing photos and videos of many of the dancers employed by The New York Ballet, The Bolshoi Ballet and the Mariinsky/Kirov Ballet. It’s well worth one’s time to watch some of the most graceful human beings on earth practice their craft. I found it particularly difficult to guess heights and weights, and saw none of the excess Mr. MaCaulay reported. One dancer of note, Alina Somona, see her at YouTube, looked to be at least 5’10″ or more, but I read that she is no more than 5’4″. Her unique style is noticeable even to me, and I highly recommend her videos.
Sam,
It seems we have some more common ground with our appreciation for ballet.
(I’ve been told over the years that understanding and appreciation are two different things, so what I lack in understanding for this art I make up for in my intense appreciation of it’s performers)
After seeing your comments, I read the review by MaCaulay. (Even though I wouldn’t normally give this man’s writing a moment of my time.) One of the better comments I have seen about MaCaulay’s writing is, “Alastair Macaulay writes like an overburdened university professor delivering grades to a group of students he doesn’t care for.”
It is just my opinion, but for a writer to degrade or demean a professional ballet performer for their appearance is pretty harsh, not to mention immature and unprofessional. When I look at myself sitting at the computer writing an article and try to compare my commitment to that of a person like Jenifer Ringer or any of her peers, I am nearly embarrassed to count myself among the same species. The only person I have ever met who has made a career out of ballet, spends hours each day, every day of her life, exercising and practicing as if she were a part of the Bolshoi rather than a ballet teacher who is the prima ballerina of a Midwestern city troupe. The level of athleticism I’ve seen at the few ballets I’ve attended has me constantly awe struck.
One of my primary complaints about critics throughout my life has been that they are rarely, if ever, an active member of the world that they so boldly and often unfairly criticize. The idea of a food critic who has never been a chef, a movie critic who has never been on a working set, or an art critic who doesn’t know what kind of brush to use, can make a living tearing down those who really “do” know their craft, is simply disgusting to my senses.
When I first moved to Seattle I tried to get a newspaper to let me critique the critics, but I was laughed at. Oh well. At least I know in my heart that the artists are superior to those who would criticize their efforts.
I wish you had been hired in Seattle, Richard. That would be fair enough, I think.
People much more culturally literate than I seem to find critical reviews helpful, but I think criticism should be constructive and left to insiders, i.e., coaches, instructors, and those with close personal relationships with the performers. As one who lacks understanding, but truly appreciates the arts, I think it must be particularly hurtful to dancers who must bare a bit of their souls to really be expressive and effective. Even in the “ball” sports, like American football, journalists and armchair quarterbacks are incredibly vicious when critcizing both players and coaches. Coach Fox, the outgoing head coach of the Carolina Panthers, was described by one of his players as a player’s coach. He said that Coach Fox knew when to criticize, when to be a friend and when to be a dad.
I think we should be more liberal in our expectations of the type body or “prototype” we expect in dance particularly. During my recent downtime I discovered former model Ashley Richardson(once Montana). Ashley, widely praised for her beauty and voluptuous curves, was rejected by a major New York ballet company because of the size of her breasts. She went on to study at the Julliard School, but a major injury led her into modeling. In a neat turn of events, she returned to dancing and is now a respected instructor and studio owner. Women like Ashley and Jenifer Ringer(most recently) have handled the expectations of others well, but the concern is the effect on mere girls. When the late Bob Feller was asked for his opinion on the use of steroids and other performance enhancing drugs in baseball, he did not mention the unfairness and muddied records, but said that he was concerned about young kids getting the wrong message, and destroying their young bodies with drug use. I am sure many talented young girls with relatively stocky builds, low body fat percentages and healthy bodies took note of Mr. MaCauly’s criticism. Anorexia kills just like drugs. Let’s hope for a bright future for them all.
Thanks again for all your comments, Richard.