April 25, 2022
Purpose Statement
I’ve chosen the Bolshoi Ballet not only because it is so historic and popular around the world, but also because it is incredibly controversial; and I find that slightly ironic. There are many reasons that the Bolshoi Ballet is considered controversial, however the main issue in this blog is the racism, cultural appropriation and homophobia they show towards dancers. These issues have a significant spot place in dance history and have damaged the name of the Bolshoi Theatre.
Before the reconstruction (1932)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolshoi_Theatre
After the reconstruction (2011)
https://www.bolshoirussia.com/theatre/
History of the Bolshoi
The Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow, Russia was founded in March of 1776, opened October 20, 1856, and is currently directed by Vladimir Urin. The Bolshoi is one of the world’s oldest classical ballet companies and became a prominent point in Russia when Moscow became the capital. There was actually a reconstruction project that happened between 2005 and 2011 which helped refurbish the historic details of the stage and building. Right before the Bolshoi had its facelift, in 2002 a second smaller stage was added to the building. The new stage celebrated its grand opening with the performance of a new piece called The Snow Maiden, written by Rimsky-Korsakov. Some of the most well known productions that this company has put on are: Giselle, La Bayadere, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, and La Corsaire. The Bolshoi Ballet has a significant role in shaping Russian Ballet and is very highly valued in Russian culture.
The view from the main stage
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolshoi_Theatre
Giselle Act II- Bolshoi Ballet 2017
Above is a piece called Giselle, which was performed during the 2017-2018 season at the Bolshoi.
The Gist
The Bolshoi being highly valued in Russian culture is ironic due to the many controversial issues that the theatre has under its belt, starting with racism and culturally appropriation. The racism shown from the Bolshoi Ballet is through blackface of their dancers and performing historic pieces such as “La Bayadere”, which had been ruled a performance that is racist and cultural appropriate. However, the Bolshoi Ballet made it clear that they didn’t see an issue with the blackface due to their lack of comments and response to any interview requests on the topic. In a New York Times article, a Russian author stated that “It's America who has the racism, Segregation and lynching. We don't have this, so we're anti-racist', which gives them a reason to think both blackface and cultural appropriation are acceptable.
Protests for the Russian "gay propaganda" law- 2015
Should Controversial Pieces Such as La Bayadere Be Performed Present Day?
The La Bayadere ballet was written and choreographed hundreds of years ago. I think it is important for ballet’s such as “La Bayadere” should be preserved as historical pieces because they can be used as good examples for progression in the dance world, as well as examples of topics in early ballet performances. I feel that It is inappropriate to incorporate a culture that the writer may not necessarily know much about. If a choreographer is going to choose a story that is based on a different culture, the least they can do is be authentic with the music, dancing, costumes, and makeup so a population won't be offended. Here, I think incorporating authenticity through designers, choreographers, musicians, and more within those cultures is very important. Although according to the Bolshoi website, La Bayadere hasn't been performed there since 2020.
The Bolshoi- Present Day
Fast forward to present times, many high status dancers who had been employed by the Bolshoi are fleeing to other countries due to the war with Ukraine and the political influences and backlash it has on the Bolshoi. Many of these dancers and choreographers who have been connected to Putin are realizing that their pieces are no longer being performed in other countries such as the United States and Europe due to boycotting Russia in support of Ukraine. Since the Bolshoi Ballet Theatre was first established, to present time, April 2022, the theatre and the high political status it holds has not caught a break with the rest of the world; whether it be politically, culturally, or artistically.
Sources
Bolshoi Ballet and Opera Theatre, Moscow, Russia. (n.d.). Bolshoi Ballet. Retrieved March 29, 2022, from https://www.bolshoirussia.com/theatre/bolshoi/bolshoi-ballet/
Cooper, M., Wolfe, K., King, P., & Folliard, P. (2017, July 11). Russia's Bolshoi Theatre cancels world premiere of gay-themed Nureyev ballet. Washington Blade. Retrieved March 29, 2022, from https://www.washingtonblade.com/2017/07/11/russias-bolshoi-theatre-cancels-world-premiere-gay-themed-nureyev-ballet/
Khomami, N. (2022, March 1). The show can't go on: Russian arts canceled worldwide. The Guardian. Retrieved April 25, 2022, from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/01/the-show-cant-go-on-russian-arts-cancelled-worldwide
Marshall, A. (2019). The New York Times Company. Blackface At The Ballet, and A Global Divide on Race.
(n.d.). Bolshoi Ballet. Retrieved March 29, 2022, from https://www.bolshoirussia.com/theatre/bolshoi/bolshoi-ballet/
