The XV International Ballet Competition has concluded with a gala concert featuring prize winners on the Historic Stage of Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre, following a record 362 applications from 35 countries.
Following a preliminary selection, 158 ballet artists from 30 countries advanced to the XV International Ballet Competition programme, and 131 contestants from 27 countries participated in the in-person rounds. Established by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, the event was dedicated to the memory of choreographer and People’s Artist of the USSR, Yuri Grigorovich.
Competitors were divided into a junior category for those up to 19 years old, and a senior category for participants up to 27 years old. Performances took place on both the New Stage and the Historic Stage of the Bolshoi Theatre.
“Our country is renowned for, and proud of, its rich traditions of choreographic art. This year, the international jury included representatives of the ballet world from Russia, Belarus, Brazil, Hungary, Kazakhstan, China, Cuba, the Republic of Korea, Serbia, Türkiye and South Africa,” said Olga Lyubimova, Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation.
“We are seeing unprecedented interest in Russian ballet, both at the Bolshoi Theatre and far beyond our country’s borders. Full houses at the competition rounds and millions of online views are among the clearest confirmations of this,” she added.
Organisers reported that the XV International Ballet Competition rounds and the gala concert were held to sold-out audiences, while online broadcasts attracted more than 9 million views across countries including Russia, Argentina, Belarus, Brazil, India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, South Africa, and Cuba.
The jury comprised ballet performers, masters, choreographers, company directors, and teachers.
“Every country brings something different to dance, style, traditions, or whatever it may be. The characteristics of each country’s school and culture are clearly reflected in the performers. It is wonderful to see how they each interpret the same work in their own way. And it is precisely where they come from that makes their performances so captivating,” jury member Esther Nasser from South Africa told TV BRICS, which served as the event’s international media partner.
Brazilian ballet artist and competition participant Arthur Libertini also spoke to the media outlet: “There are no words to describe what I am feeling right now. Dancing on this stage has been my dream since I started ballet as a little boy in Brazil. This is my first year working in Russia, my first job here, and I feel immense joy. I am truly thrilled.”
Svetlana Zakharova, People’s Artist of Russia and Rector of the Moscow State Academy of Choreography, said the participants exceeded expectations.
“I can say with confidence that Yuri Nikolayevich Grigorovich would have been proud of this Competition,” Zakharova said. “We rejoiced in their success, worried for them and were with them in spirit. We are already looking forward to the next International Ballet Competition in Moscow in four years’ time!”
Alongside the XV International Ballet Competition, a series of cultural events were held, including lectures by ballet experts, discussions with artists, and film screenings.
Prior to the event’s opening, a special project titled “The Birth of a Supernova” was launched, featuring past prize winners. An exhibition named “World Fame: A Chronicle of the Moscow Ballet Competition” also opened in the public garden on Arkhangelsky Lane in Moscow.
