Russian prima ballerina leaves Moscow theater over Russia-Ukraine war

Russian prima ballerina Olga Smirnova has departed her house nation to pursue a dance profession within the Netherlands following her public denouncement of the Russia-Ukraine struggle.

The world-famous classical dancer has joined the Dutch National Ballet and shall be featured in “several performances” within the subsequent month, together with a title position within the ballet “Raymonda” – a legendary present choreographed by French danseur Marius Petipa in 1898, the Dutch ballet firm introduced.

Smirnova, who danced in varied ballet performances with Moscow’s historic Bolshoi Theatre within the final decade, spoke out towards Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on social media and has discovered the response in her native nation to be “untenable,” the Dutch National Ballet wrote in a information launch.

In early March, Smirnova shared an announcement about her ideas on the Russia-Ukraine struggle on Telegram – a freeware instantaneous messaging system the place posts could be shared with the general public.

“I have to be honest and say that I am against war with all the fibers of my soul,” Smirnova wrote in her Telegram message. “It is not only about every other Russian perhaps having relatives or friends living in Ukraine, or about my grandfather being Ukrainian and me being quarter Ukrainian. It is that we continue to live as if this were the 20th century, even though we have formally moved to the 21st century.”

She went on to say she expects “civilized societies to resolve political matters only through peaceful negotiations” and feels ashamed of Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.

“It hurts that people are dying, that people are losing the roofs over their heads or are forced to abandon their homes,” she continued. “We may not be at the epicenter of the military conflict, but we cannot remain indifferent to this global catastrophe.”

Smirnova additionally famous that she thinks the Dutch National Ballet shall be a “good fit” for her personally and professionally and that she had beforehand thought-about leaving the Bolshoi Theatre earlier than the struggle, however “the current circumstances accelerated this process.”

Fox News Digital reached out to the Dutch National Ballet for remark.

The 60-year-old dance firm famous that it’s comfortable to have Smirnova be a part of its efficiency staff, in its information launch, which was revealed on Wednesday, March 16.

“Olga Smirnova is an exceptional dancer who I admire very much,” stated Ted Brandsen, the director of Dutch National Ballet, in an announcement.

He continued, “It is a privilege to have her dance with our company in the Netherlands — even if the circumstances that drove this move are incredibly sad. Nevertheless, as a company we are pleased to have such an inspiring dancer join us at Dutch National Ballet.” 

The Bolshoi Theatre isn’t the one Russian efficiency firm to lose a high dancer because of the struggle.

Brazil-born soloist Victor Caixeta, 22, left the Mariinsky Ballet in St Petersburg for the Dutch National Ballet.

In an announcement, Caixeta stated, “The current circumstances have meant I’ve had to make the hard decision of leaving Russia – the place I’ve called home for almost five years, as well as the theatre that has given me such an amazing start to my professional career.”

Smirnova and Caixeta will each be dancing in “Raymonda,” which is about to premiere on April 3.