Marjolein Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 Does anyone know if it is possible to visit the Vaganova Academy? I'm thinking of a trip to Russia to visit a friend of mine, and it would seem wonderful to be able to visit the Vaganova Academy. I'm a journalism student, and I'd love to write an article about the school for my final portfolio. I won't have a press card yet though. Can anyone help me out? Link to comment
vrsfanatic Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 Vaganova Academy does not allow visitors from the outside very often. My suggestion would be to send a FAX to Mr. Nadirov, Academy Principal, requesting a visit. Mr. Nadirov does speak English, but is not well known for responding. My suggestion would be to begin early to try to work it out. There is a lot of "red tape". If you know anyone with political clout within the ballet world, it may help you, but then again, it may not. When I was in school there, no one could enter with permission directly from him. Look at the website: www.vaganova.ru/eng.html Also: VAGANOVA BALLET ACADEMY 2 Rossi Street St.Petersburg 191011 Russia E-mail: vagan@mail.lanck.net Fax: +7 (812) 315 53 90 Once Mr. Nadirov knows you, he is very kind and polite, but getting to know him is not accomplished easily. Link to comment
sylphide Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 VRS, in my opinion, you seem to be the expert here on the Vaganova Academy. I too will be going on a trip to Russia. Can I expect to find a pointe shoe store around the Vaganova Academy? It is funny because yesterday in class, my teacher, a graduate from the academy, gave me the same advice, ie e-mail the school director! He said that if I did not try to arrange a visit in advance, entering the school would be like trying to enter a secret services building. Marjolein, when were you considering going there? Thanks Link to comment
Marc Haegeman Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 FYI, Leonid Nadirov is no longer in charge of the Vaganova Academy. He has recently been appointed First Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Culture and Mass Communications, and I don't know of any successor yet. Marjolein, best you can do is to write a fully motivated letter and fax and/or email it to Altynai Asylmuratova, the Artistic Director of the Academy on the numbers given by vrsfanatic. Good luck! Link to comment
sylphide Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 Thanks Marc! And by the way, would you happen to know which ballets will be presented at the Hermitage Theater in July? I have checked the website, but there is only the May representations. Link to comment
Marjolein Posted June 9, 2004 Author Share Posted June 9, 2004 I'm not sure yet when I'm going, dpends on both mine and my friends class schedules. It might be this fall, but if we both end up with heavy schedules, it might not be until next summer. Anyway, thanks for the information. Link to comment
vrsfanatic Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 Mr. Haegeman, thank you for the update on Mr. Nadirov. I would say this is a big step forward. sylphide, thank you very much, however I am however just someone who attended the two year pedagogy program, as a foreign teacher. My information is now, already 10 years old. I may hear things from my Russian friends, but there are many things I am not up on. Mr. Haegeman, is much more connected to what is going on at the Kirov and the Bolshoi now. Contact Altynai Asylmuratova, as Mr. Haegeman has suggested. Enjoy! Link to comment
sylphide Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 Thank you VRS, my teacher told me today he will translate my letter in russian, maybe this will help a bit the only concern is that he thinks she might very busy with the graduation shows and then off touring in Japan with the students. Well, I will keep my fingers crossed .... All I want is to take my picture in that famous classroom underneath the picture of A. Vaganova.... Link to comment
vrsfanatic Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 sylphide, there are so many famous picture and studios in that school. Do you mean the Rep Zal, aka Vaganova studio? I never did that, but now that you mention it, I will do that the next time I am there! I think your teacher has very good judgement. This is a very difficult time of year for all in Vaganova Academy. What about signing up for the course that they offer as a tour? Go on the website and contact the tourist agency in CA (USA) that deals with the reservations for this! When are you planning to go? Link to comment
sylphide Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 This is the studio I was talking about (first 4 pictures of first row): Vaganova Academy I will be there around the last week-end of July 2004 and I will try to contact the tourist agency. Edited:Sorry, the link did not work as I thought, but if you type in "vaganova" in the link's search box, the the pictures will appear. Link to comment
vrsfanatic Posted June 10, 2004 Share Posted June 10, 2004 The last weekend of July is not a good time to find much going on at Vaganova Academy. The school has it's vacation usually for the entire month of July, August and into early September. Email the tourist agency anyway. There may be something. You never know unless you try. Also go on the Kirov website to see what is going on at the theatre. www.mariinsky.ru.ballet The website is easy to understand with a bit of practice. You can see what performances maybe happening while you are there. What a great experience. Enjoy! Link to comment
Joseph Posted June 14, 2004 Share Posted June 14, 2004 Yes, as VRS said, I would check out the tour that goes to the Vaganova Academy. The web address is as follows: www.trips2russia.com Though, I think the tour is in progress right now or will be next week. But it is always good to check out for future reference. It is expensive, but worth it! (I went in 2002) This is the easiest, legal way I see possible of getting in to the school; unless again like VRS said, you have some sort of strong connection to a ballet / political figure. Link to comment
koshka Posted June 15, 2004 Share Posted June 15, 2004 I am following this thread with the greatest interest because I expect to be in St Petersburg in October. Please keep me posted! Can I expect to find a pointe shoe store around the Vaganova Academy? Grishko has a store on Gorokhovaya, probably a 10-20 minute walk from the school. I can give you more precise directions if needed. The shop is small but reasonably well-stocked and staffed with friendly salespeople, though they probably don't speak a whole lot of English. Link to comment
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