The President hid the horrors from Tsiskaridze

On Thursday, the premiere of the Bolshoi Theater, the rector of the Vaganova Academy, People’s Artist of Russia Nikolai Tsiskaridze held a unique meeting at the editorial office of Moskovsky Komsomolets – our guest answered questions from readers of the newspaper. They were given an incredible number, about thirty were selected for the meeting. The world ballet star answered everything and then chose the question that seemed to her the most interesting. Its author was Elena Buyanova. From Nikolai Tsiskaridze, she received an invitation to the State Kremlin Palace for a concert of graduates of the Academy of Russian Ballet, which is headed by Nikolai Maksimovich. And the question sounded like this: “What, in your opinion, is the most useful, most vital fairy tale for boys and girls?”.

Nikolai Tsiskaridze told a lot about what, satisfying the interest of readers. Including how he came up with the idea to do graduation performances when he became the rector of the Academy.

– This is a kind of chronicle, it is beautiful. On the one hand, this is wonderful, but on the other hand, it is sad for teachers. We do a very big job that goes through three or four times and then disappears forever, because the graduates are scattered all over the world. Those who were middle classes become seniors, those who were toddlers move into the middle classes. And this performance will never be repeated. On the one hand, it’s very sad, on the other hand, it’s wonderful.

You know, it was very funny when I first thought of this in 2015, everyone told me: the end of June in Moscow, children, in the Kremlin, you are crazy! But everything went very well for us the first time. On the one hand, I am pleased that people are coming. On the other hand, I always remember the day when everyone assured me that it was impossible. You know, when you want to do something, everyone tells you that you are crazy … But it’s nice when your crazy comes true.

To be honest, I really envy all those who studied at the Academy of Russian Ballet for ten years. Because those graduations in which they happened to participate, and the repertoire in which they participate, we, when I was studying, did not dream of it. Probably, everything I did, I did from the contrary. When you dreamed about it and you really wanted it, but you didn’t have it all. When I started working with children, I began to read various books on psychology. I realized that indeed our children’s complexes, they affect us in one way or another, everyone is trying to realize them. At least I myself know for sure and observe a lot of things in myself when I think: “God, why did I subscribe to this or get involved in this?” And just, apparently, there was once a childhood dream that was not realized, and now I am more than realizing it.

Nikolai Tsiskaridze also spoke about how he became a rector:

“The President spoke to me personally. And he told me some such words about the need to show oneself, to appear, and immediately outlined the problems. He was very well aware of the kind of educational institution he entrusted me with, in what decadent state it is. He perfectly understood that I had no experience, but he told me that I had carte blanche, that I could do what I thought was necessary and proper, because he trusts me. I was then very surprised, and it seemed to me that he exaggerated the horrors a little. No, he didn’t.

Of course, our readers were also interested in the relationship between the premiere of the Bolshoi Theater and the Bolshoi Theatre. Nikolai did not dismiss this question either.

– Regarding the Bolshoi Theater, you understand, this is my home. I think that many artists can say this about their theater. A lot at the Bolshoi Theater was decided with my help, because I very quickly became one of the main artists. Moreover, I have always been respected by the Presidential Administration, the ministry, and the government. I was the first to receive all the regalia that is possible. Therefore, I could come to any office and intercede for someone, ask for someone. Or simply make repairs in the toilet… The other day, one employee of the Bolshoi Theater told me a very funny story. The fact is that the heat has begun, and in the main rehearsal room at the Bolshoi Theater, the windows are located on the ceiling and it is impossible to work. Because the air conditioners don’t work there. And now one people’s artist, who is already working as a teacher, who has been silent all his life and never sticks his head out, suddenly says: “Here Tsiskaridze was indignant and did nothing for us.” To which another employee, who was present at the same time, remarked to him: “Is it okay that Kolya has not been serving at the Bolshoi Theater for ten years already? ..” And he heard in response: “Here, he can only speak!” I haven’t been in the theater for ten years, and for ten years they accuse me of not doing something for them: I didn’t move the windows, I didn’t hang the curtains, you understand? And I didn’t get it all there…

But Nikolai Tsiskaridze chose a very unusual fairy tale – one that is not well known. This is the fairy tale “The Couple” by Hans Christian Andersen. But why exactly it will become clear from the full interview of MK readers with Nikolai Tsiskaridze, which we will publish in the next issues.