EXCLUSIVE: Ukrainian icon Ivan Putrov is joined by Russian former Bolshoi prima ballerina Olga Smirnova at the Dance For Ukraine II gala on Sunday. Olga left her country in protest at the war, and Ivan tells us of the terrible personal cost to his family and home.
I had no choice I left behind everything – the Russian ballet icon who defected theaustralian.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theaustralian.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The Romanian ballerina’s rise has been the result of years of gruelling physical work, not just talent. A decade after leaving the Royal Ballet due to creative differences, she’s back with her own production, older, wiser – and still curious
we spoke a little bit about dance, a little bit about cuba and it was very brief. she said welcome, because she was the main patron of the company at the time. and obviously ivan putrov, he was the one came to cuba to audition me at the age of 17, and he said, i want that boy as the principal dancer for my company. you know, sadly he passed away, but he was one of the most, you know, influential people. thanks to him, you know, that he gave me that chance. and i think, you know, even having the success in london, he said what if i started to choreograph and do my own shows? that could be a difference for me, and i did. once i did that, i said how about if i write my story? and then after that i say, what about if i write fiction?