The Beauty of Japanese and Georgian Ballet Combined

Nothing is impossible except the impossible, said Valentin Bartes, President of Arte Italia and choreographer on the conclusion of a joint charity gala which featured up-and-coming young ballet dancers of the prestigious ‘Passion du Ballet a Kyoto’ (PBK) Competition, dancers of the State Ballet of Georgia, and students of the Tbilisi V. Chabukiani Ballet School. “The work of the Japanese and Georgian dancers is something to be proud of; it is something we must do again!”

The event was organized by The Friends of the Georgian Ballet together with Arte Italia and PBK Ballet Competition and supported by Prima Ballerina and Artistic Director Nina Ananiashvili at the Rustaveli Drama Theater. All proceeds from ticket sales went to supporting aspiring young Georgian artists at the Tbilisi Vakhtang Chabukiani Ballet School.

The first Act featured a variety of mini-dances performed by soloists and small groups of both nationalities, incomparable in their talents on the stage.

The second Act saw the re-telling of Sleeping Beauty and the bringing together of the full cast and school pupils: from the youngest ballet dancers to the exquisite perfection of ballet dancers who have been under the strict direction of the teachers, and Nina Ananiashvili herself, for some ten years.

Sleeping Beauty was played by Ann Ksovreli and Megumi Higuchi, with the prince who saves her played by Italian guest soloist of the State Ballet of Georgia, Diego Buttiglione. Not a slipper was put wrong as they glided across the stage, earning well-deserved applause time and again.

It was a pleasure to attend the gala performance and bear witness to the developing talents of the young dancers of Japan and Georgia, working together to both entertain and build cultural bridges. And it was a pleasure, too, to contribute to the professional growth of Georgia’s young talent in addition to that support provided by the kind and enthusiastic folk at The Friends of the Georgian Ballet organization.

About The Friends of the Georgian Ballet: The Friends have a special relationship with the Georgian Ballet – they receive information on the Company’s news, upcoming performances and other events on a regular basis, invitations to special celebrations (e.g. the season opening reception and scholarship awarding ceremony, Opera House tour, book presentation) where they can meet and interact with Nina and the Ballet Company’s soloists in person and get to know more about the life of the Georgian Ballet. For more information or to join, contact: friends.georgianballet@gmail.com.

Katie Ruth Davies