Prima ballerina leaves Bolshoi Ballet: “I’m ashamed of Russia”

Olga Smirnova was a star of the Bolshoi Ballet. Now she says openly what she thinks about the war in Ukraine – albeit from a safe distance. She left Moscow and is now dancing in Amsterdam.

Olga Smirnova has been toying with the idea of ​​leaving Moscow’s Bolshoi Theater for some time. Russia’s attack on Ukraine accelerated this step, she said in an interview with Dutch television: “Instinctively, I felt that the world was going to change, and dramatically.” When she heard the news, it was like an absolute nightmare. “That doesn’t fit into the 21st century. Wars are a thing of the past. Today we can no longer solve conflicts with wars.”

Earlier this week, the Russian prima ballerina arrived in Amsterdam. The Dutch National Ballet recorded her with a kiss. Smirnowa is an “outstanding dancer,” says ensemble boss Ted Brandsen. It will celebrate its premiere in Amsterdam in just two weeks.

“I am extremely lucky that they asked me if I would like to dance Marius Petipa’s ‘Raymonda’,” says Smirnova. Premiere is on April 3rd. “I’ve danced the title role before, but that’s a different choreography that I still have to rehearse. For me, however, it’s very important that I can rehearse and be on stage again – especially under these circumstances.”

“With every fiber of my soul against this war”

She is “with every fiber of my soul” against this war, says the dancer. She has a Ukrainian grandfather, friends and relatives live there. It hurts her that civilians are dying in Ukraine and have to leave their homes. She never thought she would ever be ashamed of Russia, says the 30-year-old.

“Russia started this war. I was always proud of Russian culture and our sporting successes, but this war marks a boundary between then and now.” She thinks many Russians share her opinion, “but they’re afraid for themselves and their families, and that’s why they keep quiet.” Silence is not an option for what is probably Russia’s best-known dancer at the moment. She loves her homeland, says Smirnova, but the right to express oneself freely and independently is a valuable asset.

“Everyone has to decide for themselves, but I want to be able to say what I think. Because it’s right.” If she has to leave her country to do so, then she will. “If I went back to Russia and had to give up my opinion, then I couldn’t do it.”

hope of return

The head of the Bolshoi Ballet has confirmed in the Russian media that his prima ballerina is moving to Amsterdam. Makhar Vazijev claims succinctly that she asked for a year’s leave. Olga Smirnova cannot yet say how long she will really stay in the Netherlands, but she hopes to return to her homeland.

“I hope that the borders will open again and that Russians can come and go again. And I hope that the reputation of the Russian people will be restored, that it will be better than it is now. But nobody knows what the future will bring brings, but of course I hope.”