Iconic ballet company dances classics onto Chinese stages

Eifman's relationship with China has blossomed over the years, and he sees great promise for the future of ballet in the country. "Chinese ballet is on an impressive trajectory," he observes. "The dancers are becoming internationally renowned for their technical excellence and passion. There is an incredible appetite for new, modern ballet, and we are thrilled to be part of this growing cultural exchange."

The Eifman Ballet is also working closely with the Beijing Dance Academy, fostering new talent and sharing expertise with the next generation of Chinese dancers.

Born in 1946 in Siberia, Eifman, from early childhood, wanted to express his feelings and thoughts through body language and dance. He studied in the Leningrad Conservatory's choreography department, and then at the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet, where he worked as a choreographer for a decade. In 1977, Eifman formed his own ballet ensemble, the Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg, originally called the Leningrad New Ballet. In 2027, the company will celebrate its 50th anniversary.

He would later say, "For me, ballet is more than a profession. It is a means of existence; my mission on this earth. Using its resources, I am compelled to convey what is given to me at a high level. Most likely, I would simply suffocate on my emotions, if I didn't have the ability to express them through art. To me, choreography is an art that is deeply religious, in the broadest sense of the word."

When asked how he maintains his artistic passion and motivation, Eifman says: "The formula is simple: relentless, unending work. No self-pity, no fabricated justifications for idleness."

"You must plunge into the flames and, consumed by them, resurrect yourself from the ashes time and again. I am nearly 80 years old, yet, I work daily from early morning until late evening. I spend hours rehearsing in the ballet studio with my dancers, listening to countless musical pieces, and studying materials related to upcoming productions. This has been my rhythm for decades. Physical strength and health don't increase with age, but creative ideas literally overflow within me today. The more you give, the more you ultimately receive. This is a universal law," he says.