Beyond tutus: Svetlana Zakharova on ballet in Putin's Russia | Talk to Al Jazeera
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- Опубліковано 19 жов 2018
- Since the age of 10, Svetlana Zakharova has devoted her life to ballet. Originally from Ukraine, her extraordinary talent catapulted her to world fame as the prima ballerina of Russia's renowned Bolshoi Ballet.
Considered one of the greatest ballerinas of her generation, Zakharova is often compared with Russia's iconic male ballet dancers, Rudolf Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov.
But her success has come at a price.
"At the age of 10, my childhood was over and I started a new grown-up life," she told Al Jazeera.
Zakharova gave up her childhood to practise the art form she says she was physically designed for, despite ballet being "unnatural for a human body. The stretching, the turnouts and the training load."
"You get used to living with pain," she said. "I sometimes ask myself if I made any sacrifices. But I don't know any other way of life ... I have no regrets. Even when I'm exhausted and tired, when I want to hide from everyone and everything, I never think about quitting."
In 2006, Zakharova became a member of Russia's Presidential Council for Culture and Art, and in 2008, she was elected to a term in the Russian parliament.
"I did not just join the parliament to do something I didn't know," she said. "I was in the Culture Committee, which was my territory. So I worked there for some time. But I did not come back after my convocation because, first of all, I gave birth to my daughter and I understood that it's impossible to be a ballerina, a parliamentarian and a mother at once."
"Russia has always been strong in culture," she said. "In my opinion, if there's money to pay attention to the arts, all the other spheres are more or less in a good state."
Asked about relations between her native Ukraine and Russia, Zakharova said: "Now, I am not related to Ukraine in any way ... I believe that our politicians will do what's right. I'm just really sad that our nations, that used to be as close as sisters, have such a wrong relationship now."
Given her previous support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, Al Jazeera asked Zakharova about Russia's current trajectory.
"The most important thing for me is that everyone, not only the Russian president, but all the world leaders talk to each other and avoid war," she replied. "It's the most important thing, so that there are no dead children, no separated families, because nothing can be worse. But I'm not the person to answer this question. I live in my own closed world."
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I love ballet, I worship the ground Svetlana Zakharova dances upon. She is one of our generation's greatest artists and
one of the world's top 10 professional athletes.
What a lovely, gracious & intelligent woman.
Svetlana Zakharova is one of the most admirable humans alive: she is one with her art- it’s life-changing to watch her perform live. Thank you for this! 🙏✨
Thank you for your post.
I think he was a very good interviewer... it wasn't the usual white bread questions.
Great Interview. Very professional on the part of the interviewer and encompassing......
@Svetlana Zakharova, you are the best, one of the world's top 10 artists and top 10 professional athletes. I wish you many many more years of dancing.
Какая же Светлана Захарова умница и красавица. Большое Счастье - видеть Вас на сцене. 👏🌹🌹🌹
Thanks for sharing posting and translation ..very interesting intervju.
@Svetlana Zakharova Please make more blu-rays. I live in a small city in Canada and they are pretty much the only way I can see you dancing full ballets. Please also include commentaries by yourself, the ballet mistress or master, and if possible the choreographer for the benefit of future generation of ballet fans and students. Commentaries and informal lectures are the ways you can transmit your knowledge and skill to future generations.
Very rare and good interview with the top ballet artist of our time, thanks!
I've been watching Svetlana's work since a long time but never an interview with her. She is lovely and a good person.
So well spoken 😍❤️
It's perfectly appropriate for him to be asking her political questions: she is very political and highly visible within Russia.
I adore sveta! the perfect ballerina...
En accord avec vous elle nous ravit l'âme et les yeux
What an amazing video!!!
What a beautiful woman & artist.
TU sei la DONNA che ho sognato tutta la VITA. TI AMO!
Spaciba AMORE TU mi hai salvato l'ANIMA!
So dignified and honest
Every profession needs a lot of efforts to make one the best, it is not only about ballet.
Quanto AMORE chiede questa lunga attesa!
Svetlana Zakharova is truly an inspration.
Quanto sei stupendamente bella amore mio. Sei il sogno di ogni uomo!
One of the greatest ever. I still wonder what she has to say now about the invasion, especially from the safety of her "own closed world" "The most important thing for me is that everyone, not only the Russian president, but all the world leaders talk to each other and avoid war," she replied. "It's the most important thing, so that there are no dead children, no separated families, because nothing can be worse. But I'm not the person to answer this question. I live in my own closed world."
Saw an article claiming that she and 100 other dancers signed supporting the conflict. I can't confirm nor deny, as there are thousands of lies and truths on the internet. Just something I read!
@@emmareyes7459 It's not a hoax. She was among the 511 artists who signed the letter in support of the invasion and consequent annexation of Crimea, alongside fellow Putin cronies Nikolai Tsiskaridze and Ivan Vasiliev. The letter issued by the Ministry of Culture, which can be found online, reads: "We firmly declare our support of the position of the President of the Russian Federation in regards to Ukraine and Crimea." It’s a bit late for crocodile tears now.
О вторжении в Ирак? Ливию? Югославию? Палестину? Какие же иностранцы тупые и двуличные
She’s so perfect!
Best ballerina today
I so admire Ms. Svetlana and her dancing. I am only sorry that for whatever reason, she is unable to speak openly and truthfully about the adversity women in the ballet world go through. So sad.
Do you like fried stories ? But why should MS Zakharova discuss someone's rumours ? She had never contacted harassment in her life .
You can be a victim or you can dominate. You can't be both. If she had been the victim she would have quit long ago because her teacher were "mean" for being hard on her.
Si dice che le ore che precedono l'AURORA siano le più buie. TI AMO!
Wise and beautiful woman (of course), precious and informative interview. However, the translation of the title and annotation from English to Russian (in the Russian version of UA-cam) is awkward.
Great advice- 9:01
thank you !!!!
La Giustizia si affacerà dal cielo e la pace fiorirà sulla terra!
И страна хороша и Захарова прелестна!
For fifty years i have cringed over the stupendously ignorant question ...... 'Oh, but don't you have to give up your childhood, a social life, maybe a family........'
The questioner is filled with envy. He also hates any sign she deserves her status, since he certainly would not commit like the magnificent warriors we artists are, with Sveta our high illuminary.
Ballet is not notoriously painful! I hate people saying ballet is pain, crucial. I mean, if anyone wants to achieve something in any area, no matter in dance, sports, academic, career, you have to pay a tremendous effort. If you say ballet is notoriously painful, then so does every single sports.
❤
Di una cosa sono assolutamente certo. Sarà fatta la SUA VOLONTA'.
Love Svetlana, as an artist and a humble, good, intelligent person. Bravo Svetlana, perfect answer about "harassment", you understood it's two way street.
Forse qualcuno ha toccato il fondo della cattiveria! Il tuo AMORE mi ha salvato l'ANIMA!
Светлана очень достойная личность!
Замечательная талантливая балерина!
Меняет жизнь женщин однозначно!
About talent it is not so univocal. It is true that a talent at once attacts everybody's attention, but it attracts both good people and bad people - who defend interests of other party (a ballerina with connections). So, in such unequal fight e a poor one (no matter how talented) is doomed to lose anyway.
Балерина со связями? Если балерина не обладает необходимыми физическими данными для балета, то какими бы связями она ни обладала, в профессии она не состоится и над ней всегда будут смеяться и в лицо и за его спиной.
А вы Севенард видели?
Sento il bisogno di dirti che di AMO IMMENSAMENTE. Non so se mi à lecito dire ciò.
Vincitore à colui che non smette mai di sognare...io continuo a sognare di incontrarti....
Svetlana is one of the best Russian ballerinas ever, certainly one of the top two or three of her generation. Ulyana Lopatkina, though slightly older, is another. Svetlana’s talent was discovered when she was quite young. She was gifted. I think she realizes how fortunate she is - though certainly she has worked very hard to get where she is.
Who knows whether men have made unwelcome advances toward her or pressured her sexually in exchange for helping her career. I find it doubtful because her obvious talent as a dancer probably made her somewhat immune from that sort of pressure. Hard to say. Most women have had men make unwelcome advances and have been able to deal with it.
I think the interviewer did a good job. I think Svetlana feels genuinely sad about what has happened to relations between Russia and Ukraine. I thought she was going to start crying during that part of the interview. And it is sad. The West, particularly the U.S., is largely responsible for the degraded situation between Ukraine and Russia.
¡¡Me emocionan las declaraciones de amor del señor Flavio, se puede soñar con un amor que nunca nos correspondera, pero de ser hombre, como no amar a esta bellisima, delicada, y maravillosa artista !!¡ Gracias Svetlana Sakharova, la mas grande y perfecta !, Gladys Suarez
Вы там все больные? Вам показывают лучший балет, у вас в голове собственные комплексы . Учитесь молчать
And look, she started ballet at the age of 10, later than many dancers who start at 5-7
TI AMOOOOOOO
AMRE AMORE AMORE ETERNO!
22:00 In crisis both the USSR and Communist China spent enormous amounts on arts and athletics. Arts and sports were priorities far higher than environmental protection and poverty. These two biggest Communist countries used arts and athletics as Potemkin villages, facades, show pieces to make the world think their economies and their people were doing okay, when they were impoverished totalitarian slums.
But in normal countries, Svetlana is correct. In normal countries we feed people, and provide education and medical care for the masses, before we spend immense amounts on the arts and athletics. The USA shares the excesses of the USSR and China in sports spending, especially high level sports spending.
In the cases of certain countries, capitalism and communism share some of the same vises (sins).
i dont like this interview because it is just so leading to try and pose ballet as this horrible thing. ask questions positively and not try to catch her out, what is she going to say she hates it? be fr
AMORE? BOH!
AMORE Amore Amore
세계위인전발레리나
Так мало талантливых людей в любой профессии
I live in Canada and I find the USA's politics terrible and going downhill fast. It was rough 20 years ago and now is pretty much at banana republic level. However, I'm much happier having our land border being with the USA and our arctic border with Russia. Hopefully all countries will improve and improve for all of their peoples, not just for the various self-styled 'elites'. (And yes, in since 2016 Canada has also been going downhill fast.)
Meanwhile your government just falsely imprisons you all.
Agree with you more about us politics going downhill fast especially now with the current situation. I'm hoping 2024 there will be a change and no more cheating. You are correct, the elites are ruling over all of us. And Russia should be our friend not our foe
Come posso fare a spedirti 43 rose .... Chissà forse TE le porterò---
молодчина, привет из Киева!
Не поняла подпись под видео.
Фантазией Его
Is Putin a ballet dancer?
Светлана сделанА руками Господа
What an extraordinarily unsympathetic woman! So much for the topic, wars must be prevented at all costs. But at the same time support the inhumane war!
Quello che l'odio in questi giorni cerca di dividere il tuo AMORE riunisce, cancella le ferite e accende la SPERANZA e la CARITA'
qatar decided to be democracy? give equal rights to women as if men? secularism?
En castellano 🇨🇱
There is no doubt at all that Zakharova is/was one of the best dancers ever to perform in our age or any other. That having been said, her views are very narrow. She responds to the war and carnage in Ukraine by saying she no longer has family there and that it's too bad Russia and Ukraine have such a sad relationship because of "Ukrainian extremists". Her world is her work as it is for many dancers across the globe in poor countries and wealthy. It doesn't take wealth to be an artist, only a space to work and, depending on the art, the supplies for that work. Native American art is just as precious and valuable culturally as dancing for the Bolshoi. She also states that "I'm sure the politicians will figure it out." Those politicians must listen to those they represent which makes it our responsibility to elect them according to our own opinions. I got no sense from her that she was even interested in talking about Putin's war on Ukraine. It's not in her life and doesn't matter to her. I'm very disappointed to have heard this interview. I thought that anyone with ears and eyes would certainly see the difference between right and wrong... but then, I come from a country that elected Donald Trump. I'm not sure what's worse. I'm still ashamed to be associated in any way with the US because of Donald Trump and it's because I do read the newspapers and make it a point to vote in every election that I can continue to educate myself. She lives in her own bubble and dances a lot. It's sad that someone with that much talent has such an uneducated and narrow view of the world and her country. Look at Mikail Baryshnikov. He has been unafraid to bash Putin in public. When asked if he was afraid of the consequences of Putin's order to his flunkies to kill him he said (paraphrasing) "I've lived a good life. New York is an amazing city and I have been able to follow every dream I wanted to pursue. What can they do to me? They can't take that from me. They can do nothing." That pretty much says it for me.
Putin does not care about Baryshnikov. He defected to the West and that is his decision. Putin respects ballet dancers even if, in the case of this one, was lucky enough to have been trained by the best teachers of the Bolshoi Ballet and toured the world over receiving accolades from ballet lovers. Baryshnikov has never expressed gratefulness for this as any one with humility would. However, I don't expect it from a Latvian.
As much as I strongly disagree with her view about Ukraine. But I have to put my mind to picture what's like to be in her shoes. I hypothesize that, Russia has been her only home since her teenage years and I got feelings that she wasn't connected to Ukraine anymore cause back in the day Ukraine didn't really appreciate these stars, including Polunin. Svetlana has to go to Russia to be able to be recognized for her talent, in Polunin's case he goes to the British instead. I have also read some articles way back about Zakharova and Polunin deciding to try to help Ukraine's ballet school (specifically their former school which is Kyiv Choreography School) but from what I read, their help was being declined while the condition of the academy was so poor (no heat warmer, leaking ceilings, etc). From this, the reason why they are loyal to Russia is that their life is well-respected compared to if they decided to just stay in Ukraine. Other thoughts that come to me are that it could be she got threats if she decides to against Putin and could lead threats to her family and such. Remember, she also has nowhere to go except to stay in Russia. Abroad ballet company will probably decline her for a job position because of her politics. Baryshnikov in my view has never been Putin's favourite, so he's doesn't care if Baryshnikov against him or not beside Baryshnikov still has America as his home, and Russia has never been his home anymore. The same goes with Tsiskaridze, imagine if he is against Putin. He will probably be fired from Vaganova and gone from Russia or worst sentence to jail, and if that happens what will happen with the children in Vaganova? Will you blame the children in Vaganova for the war just because they study at the Russian Institute? In order to receive education properly, they need secure protection hence that's why Tsiskaridze has his current views on Putin's actions, while trying to protect his children of Vaganova. Making sure they got an education, career, and bright future so they don't have to suffer from Putin's leadership. I'm not trying to justify Putin's crime (we all dislike him so much) but we sometimes have to see every condition from different POVs and what consequences they will probably receives. Even if you disagree with most of them.
Interviewer focuses on all negatives trying to find some weakness. We are very tired and bored with these lazy questions
критика дрлжна быть доброй.
Forse sara' domani...o no...
La VITA senza di TE non ha alcun senso!
It is such a pity that Russia tried to steal her sister's house, home, husband, and children.
I think sister Russia has worms in her brain and if those worms were removed and she gave back to her sister what she tried to steal, that Russia and Ukraine would be close sisters again, within 10 years.
ВОсхищаюсь красотой и талантом балерины, но ответы о политике и уровне жизни в России звучали жалко и неразумно. Так странно слышать, что её высокий уровень (Москва, Большой и большие деньги) не дают возможности увидеть, как живут в обычных городах и глубинке России, и как российское государство о них заботится. Зато она хорошо знакома с тем, что в Киевском хореографическом училище протекает крыша , а Украинскому государству до этого нет никакого дела. И да, Конечно же она видит и знает, сколько проблем в маленьких городах Европы и всего мира. Смешно. Не подготовилась Света к такого рода вопросам...
She's basically a traitor to her people. This interview didn't age well.
Вы слишком многого ждёте от балерины. Её стихия -танец. Едва ли она смотрит каждый день новости и читает газеты...
Ну если в Киевском училище действительно протекает крыша в чем тут вина Светланы?
И представте себе и Светлана и её муж выдающийся скрипач Вадим Репин очень много делают для людей, живущих в самых отдалённых уголках России.
Вадим Репин - основатель и художественный руководитель Транссибирского Арт-Фестиваля.
в 2015 году Светлана Захарова организовала фестиваль детского танца "Светлана", где принимают участие юные талантливые танцоры любых направлений Она же являетя бессменной ведущей в проекте " Большие и маленькие", в котором принимаю участие дети изо всех регионов России.
Люди везде и всегда живут по- разному, но в части культурного развития Россия впереди планеты всей! Завидуйте молча!
@@user-cf8pn3xt9r То что ваша раzея спереди , вместе с «высокой» культурой уже весь мир убедился. Поэтому и выметает её навозной метлой из всех уголков земного шара🤣🤣🤣
мир не ограничивается странами ЕС, США и прочими каналами. , На Земле проживают 8,5 миллиардов человек. В странах БРИКС 3,23 миллиарда человек, что составляет более 40 процентов мирового населения. Добавим сюда арабский мир и Латинскую Америку.
А что касается Европы, то тут тоже без Щелкунчика и Рождество не Рождество. Ла Скала открыл сезон оперой "Борис Годунов". Так что русскую культуру ни отменить, ни " вымести" не получится.
А что за сарказм?Причём тут Путинская Россия?Россия-она всегда Россия...а Путин наш Президент,достойный нашей страны!
So per certo che ciò che sta succedendo tra Russia e Ucraina TI ferisce profondamente.
La Vergine Maria ha detto però che i nostri cuori uniti vinceranno contro ogni falsa menzogna.!
Да, от вопросов об Украине и о Кирилле Серебренникове ушла. Закрыта, не хочет ничего говорить. Её понять можно, Путин вручал награды. Ужасно, что сейчас происходит в Украине и было страшно, когда показали, как люди в масках вели Кирилла Серебренникова. Эти кадры видела впервые. Слова о том, что работает в лучшем театре, живёт в лучшем городе-), видит только все лучшее, не знает, что происходит в других городах страны, звучит наивно из уст большой балерины. Мне кажется, что в конце беседы ведущему стало скучно разговаривать со С. Захаровой.
Вы видимо редко моете уши . Про Украину и Серебренникова она ответила , что знала . Понятно , каких ответов от нее ждали лично вы : Серебренников - гений , а гении бюджетные деньги не воруют , Путин - тиран ,мучающий Украину , которая захотела стать европейской страной . Сделайте одолжение , не смотрите в UA-cam и живом исполнении выступления Светлана , она явно не оправдала ваши либеральные фантазии .
Вы - патентованая дура, excuse my French.
Зато она тихая,интеллигентная, не пиарится как Волочкова,полный антипод.
TU non PUOI invecchiare!
AMORE! Penso a quando ti vedrò!
Beautiful Svetlana Zakharova, with incredible common sense as well. Shame on this interviewer, Rory Challands, for dragging the interview into politics. Good for Svetlana for her discretion and honest diplomacy. Russia is one of the most culturally advanced countries in the world:
Зачем задавать провокационные вопросы главной звезде режима? Что бы она ни думала, она его поддержит.
Она звезда балета, а не звезда режима. Чувствуете разницу?
При чем здесь "звезда режима"?! Тот же Гордон, который облаивает Россию в любой ситуации недавно в интервью сам лично сказал, что Москва - лучший город, который он видел. И никакая Европа рядом с ней не стоит. Да, он так сказал. Так что Светлана прекрасно понимает, где её ценят по - настоящему, и где она добилась своего статуса и мастерства.
А теперь страна, которая не хотела ничего обсуждать открыто, взяла и развязала войну. Убивает, захватывает, уничтожает. Хорошо, что есть в мире Нато, которое хранит мир. Россия снова во мгле…
Wow she's talking more about "Disgusting allegations"!!!! How about the ballerinas of Bolshoi who've been harassed and sexually abused in exchange of a role or placement in the company...maybe you should wash your dirty laundry in public to help women! I lost respect!
I don't think that she really needs your consideration . You like to discuss rumors . You have neither the facts nor the testimonies of the Bolshoi ballerinas . But you read a story in a newspaper that sells well. I think she is quite happy with the respect of connoisseurs of her art, and not collectors of gossip .
What a stupid statement based on rumors and an information coming from a yellow press.
@@alexanderpanchenko1290 of course a man would dismiss this as rumors
It's so disappointing to hear her views on the me too movement and on Ukraine. I mean really just awful. I have looked up to her example as a ballerina for the past 10 years, she has always been one of my favorites. But she has totally fallen in my eyes in character and integrity. It can't merely be absolute cluelessness, it seems she has imperially fallen to corruption. Clearly she is capitalizing on her position. What a heartless and resourceful woman.
You're not seeing it from her perspective. I'm not defending her, I wish she was more evolved in terms of the me too movement for example, but she seems to live in a world very far away from all worries and doesn't quite grasp what this is all about. In Europe, and in the USA, the metoo movement was huge, and it got huge because the cultural environment allowed it to be this big. However, you need to remember that Russia is a much more censored country. She controls everything she says because she represents her country in a way. I don't think it makes her heartless, I'd say uncaring. Also, it would look bad on the government if she took a stand for Ukraine while she had a role in Russian politics. Again, she didn't say anything particularly bad, just that she didn't feel Ukrainian which could be understandable since she has been living in Russia for a while, she did reveal she tried to help her former ballet school.
To me, it just sounds like she's looking at all cost to stir away from polemics, and want to stay in her confortable life as a ballerina and nothing more.
You think that the soviet era blackmailing has ended or after the destruction of perestroika? Think again. If you're this sensitive, I'd advise you to stray away from this kind of interviews if you want to keep your respect for your favorite artists.
The guy should not ask this kind of questions at the first place. She is a dancer, an artist, not a politician. talking about politics in public will create conflicts among ballet fans. why put her in that kind of situation? she did mention that critiques today are competing for the meanest award in Ballet world. this guy is no exception.
@@yujian8569. Thank you for your post. You are correct in your statement. It was ridiculous to ask that stupid political questions to Best Ballerina in the world. I think she should ask him what is the
real reason to ask her that political questions.
Al Jazzera should have better journalists on their staff. Svetlana did great and show the real CULTURE and ART.
youre wrong ...she said russian dont do anything in public regarding me too movement ....its about the culture
Пусть танцует молча, сойдёт за умную
ФУ...
Позиция Светланы понятна в отношении войны в Украине - это меня не касается.
Это действительно её не касается! :))))))
А нам не понятно, что глубинкв России без газа и с туалета ми на улицах, грабят в Украине унитазы и нижнее белье.
Бред какой- то написали.
Хватит чушь нести!!! Этот посыл уже не актуален для салорейха. Не работает, т.к. не соответствует действительности:))))))
Не хватит у вас унитазов,что бы Россию обеспечить!
Какой идиотизм !
Viva Svetlana! Viva Putin!
Great questions
Какая же она скучная и бесцветная!
Её Амплуа?..Язык танца!
А, вы?... ядовиты от внутренних комплексов! 🤪❗