Russian ballet stars praise Türkiye’s enthusiasm for Swan Lake

The Imperial Russian Ballet Company has expressed delight at the enthusiastic reception from Turkish audiences during their Türkiye tour featuring Tchaikovsky’s timeless masterpiece, Swan Lake.

Bolshoi Theatre soloist Gediminas Taranda, along with ballet dancers Darya Kirsanova and Vladimir Dorofeyev, shared their thoughts ahead of their Ankara performance, highlighting the passion and appreciation of Turkish audiences for Russian ballet.

A passionate audience that loves ballet

Taranda noted that Turkish audiences eagerly anticipate Russian ballet performances, emphasizing the overwhelming applause in Istanbul. “I couldn’t even speak because of the applause,” he said, recalling a recent show.

Once a wrestler before dedicating his life to ballet, Taranda shared his philosophy on the art form: “Ballet is life. When you wake up at 8 a.m. and return home at midnight only to want to go back again, that’s life.”

He also pointed out that in Russia, ballet dancers do not simply “work” but “serve” ballet. “If you serve ballet with great pleasure and return home with the same joy, it means you truly love what you do,” he added.

Encouraging Turkish parents to introduce their children to ballet from an early age, Taranda described it as an “injection of beauty.”

Don quixote to enchant Türkiye next

Taranda revealed that following the success of Swan Lake, the company will bring Don Quixote to Türkiye in April.

“Tickets for Swan Lake sold out in no time, and we received incredible excitement from the audience when we announced Don Quixote,” he said. “It’s one of the finest Russian ballets, full of music, dance, and over 250 costumes. Most importantly, it’s a fun ballet about love.”

Inviting Turkish audiences to embrace more than just Swan Lake, Taranda added, “We want them to appreciate Don Quixote as well. My daughter, a Bolshoi Theatre ballerina, will also perform in it.”

Persistence and passion: Key to ballet

Darya Kirsanova, a ballerina with The Imperial Russian Ballet Company for nine years, recalled her journey into ballet. “I started as a child. At first, nothing went right, and I cried a lot, but I loved dancing so much that I kept working hard. Eventually, I became a ballerina.”

She advised aspiring dancers never to give up. “If you love to dance, keep dancing. If you fail, try again, and again. The most important thing is persistence—follow your dream and never quit.”

Mesmerized by Türkiye’s warmth

Having visited Istanbul twice, Kirsanova expressed admiration for the city’s beauty and the warmth of its people.

“I was captivated by how wonderful the city is, how welcoming the people are—everyone is so genuine, cheerful, and kind.”

Despite limited time in Ankara due to rehearsals and performances, Kirsanova said the Turkish audience’s response was unforgettable. “We rarely experience such applause. It’s a truly warm welcome. Feeling the energy from the audience while dancing is amazing,” she said. “It makes working here a pleasure, and naturally, it makes us want to come back more often.”

Thunderous applause for Russian ballet in Türkiye

Vladimir Dorofeyev, a soloist, shared how his love for ballet began in childhood. “I would listen to music and instinctively move my hands and feet. My mother first sent me to folk dance classes, then to the Perm Ballet School, and later, I danced in St. Petersburg before joining The Imperial Russian Ballet Company.”

Reflecting on the Türkiye tour, Dorofeyev called it “completely mesmerizing” and said he was fascinated by the cultural differences.

“People say ballet dancers are always on a diet, but we all love sweets,” he joked, adding that he enjoyed exploring Istanbul and tasting local delicacies.

Dorofeyev described ballet as an art of love and beauty. “We carry this beauty with us. Türkiye has welcomed us in a way we never expected—showering us with applause. Every venue is packed. It’s incredible, and I sincerely thank everyone who came to see us.”

With Don Quixote set to captivate audiences in April, ballet lovers in Türkiye can look forward to yet another mesmerizing spectacle.