Russian ballet school between art and permanent competition

Becoming a professional ballerina is a journey that begins at a young age and is extremely competitive. We meet young girls devoting their lives to the profession, as well as the women, who end up on the very top, performing on stage at the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg.

First challenges for young Russian ballerinas from Russia Beyond The Headlines on Vimeo.

The lives of young artists are filled with agony and ecstasy: unavoidable injuries, intrigues, victories at ballet competitions and the part of the third armor-bearer at a matinee for kids. There will be dreams of coveted roles and the everyday routine of ballet practice, important tours and agonizing waits for new roles in long queues alongside their colleagues. They will crave the applause of the audience and retire at 40 with a miserable ballet pension. But still millions of little girls are fiercely attracted by this artistic profession.

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