The renowned Russian ballerina Olga Smirnova leaves the most important ballet in Russia due to the invasion of Ukraine

The prestigious dancer Olga Smirnova It has been resigned to the famous Bolshoi Moscow Ballet after denouncing the Russian invasion of Ukraine. After this announcement condemning the war, the dancer has reported that she is incorporates the Dutch National Ballet in Amsterdam.

The abandonment and subsequent transfer occurred after the dancer born in St. Petersburg, but with a Ukrainian familydenounce the conflict. “I never thought I’d be ashamed of Russia“, explains Smirnova in a statement, which was later republished by the Dutch National Ballet. “I have always been proud of the talented Russian people, of our cultural and sporting achievements. But now I feel that a line has been drawn that separates before and after, “she adds, justifying her departure.

“It hurts me that people are dying, that people are losing the roofs over their heads or being forced from their homes. And who would have thought a few weeks ago that all this would happen? We may not be at the epicenter of the military conflict, but we cannot remain indifferent to this global catastrophe“, concludes Smirnova condemning the war.

“Received with open arms”

The Dutch National Ballethas also issued a statement in which it ensures that Smirnova has been “welcomed with open arms”. In addition, they have already announced that their debut there will be with the play ‘Raymonda’, which opens in early April.

In the Instagram post you can read is the following text in English giving the soloist Víctor Caixeta and her, a warm welcome: “We welcome Principal Ballerina Olga Smirnova of the Russian Bolshoi Ballet and soloist Victor Caixeta of the Russian Mariinsky Ballet to our company, effective immediately. Both dancers have been unable to continue working in Russia due to the war in Ukraine, so they have decided to join the Dutch National Ballet. We welcome them with open arms. OIga will dance her first role with our company in the classical ballet Raymonda (dates to be announced), in which Víctor will also participate”.