50 years without Leonid Yacobson

It has been half a century since Leonid Yacobson’s passing. His life’s journey came to an end on 17 October, 1975, in Moscow, where he’d been confined to by his terminal illness, preventing him from joining his troupe on its first-ever tour abroad. His Choreographic Miniatures Theatre had to perform in Hungary and East Germany without its art director. The news of the tour’s resounding success reached Yacobson on his deathbed at the Kremlin Hospital in Moscow.

The funeral procession, however, took place in Leningrad, setting off from 15 Maykovsky Street: the very same address where the modern Leonid Yacobson Theatre holds its rehearsals.

The great choreographer breathed life into our theatre and, in many ways, defined the enduring legacy of 20th century dance. He had a keen eye and a profound respect for the choreographic techniques of his predecessors, while his creative innovations left his contemporaries speechless, and his art continues to give insights to his students.

We are immeasurably happy and honoured to keep his heritage alive.