The Leonid Yacobson Ballet Theatre will be performing in Kazan on 28 and 29 May. During this time, the capital of Tatarstan will be hosting its traditional festival honouring the memory of Rudolf Nureyev. The 2024 iteration of the festival is the 37th since its inception: it got its name all the way back in 1993, with the world-renowned escapee’s personal blessing. There is also another Nureyev Festival in Ufa, which took place in March this year; the difference between the two events is the Cyrillic spelling of the legendary danseur’s last name. Нуриев (Nuriev) vs Нуреев (Nureyev) is an endless debate between Russian-speaking ballet experts, but this time it was settled peacefully: Ufa chose the latter version, and Kazan, the former.

The Dance Open Festival is the meeting point for a variety of dance styles, branches and schools. Whether specialising in classical, modern, or contemporary ethnic dance, the choreographic community from around the world returns to the Festival year after year to reiterate the importance of body language as a universal communication tool that brings countries and continents closer together. The Festival culminates in a final gala. This year, it took place at the Alexandrinsky Theatre in 19 April. The programme was packed with exciting events, including Cheeky Chastushki.

Our evening of ballet at the Hermitage Theatre on 15 March will be dedicated to Ninel Petrova. The legendary ballerina will be turning 100 years old.

Today our troupe is embarking on a tour to Thailand. The renowned St. Petersburg orchestra conductor, Valery Ovsyannikov, will be our travelling companion. Once we arrive in Bangkok, he will take the helm at the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, which plays under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya.