Asylmuratova resigns from Vaganova Academy

Posted on December 9, 2013

Izvestia reports that Altynai Asylmuratova has resigned as artistic director of the Vaganova Academy. 

Asylmuratova and former Rector Vera Dorofeeva had been suddenly dismissed from the Vaganova Academy, to be replaced by Maryinsky ballerina Uliana Lopatkina and former Bolshoi star Nikolai Tsiskaridze. After international protests, Tsiskaridze announced that Asylmuratova would be invited to stay on as prorector, while Lopatkina’s position remained unconfirmed. Dorofeeva has now told Izvestia that Asylmuratova has resigned and that she has been offered a position with the Mikhailovsky Theatre.

Asylmuratova has not spoken about her decision. Ilya Kuznetsov, who wishes to stand against Tsiskaridze for election as rector, says that it was impossible for Asylmuratova to work with Tsiskaridze. Should Tsiskaridze be confirmed as rector, the position of artistic director, which has existed separately since 1930, would be abolished.

With thanks to Tony Devereux for translation. 

Picture: Vaganova Academy

Zoe Anderson

Zoë was born in Edinburgh, and saw her first dance performances at the Festival there. She is the dance critic of The Independent, and has also written for The Independent on Sunday, The Scotsman and Dancing Times. In 2002, she received her doctorate from the University of York for a thesis on “Nationhood and epic romance: Ariosto, Sidney, Spenser”. She is the author of The Royal Ballet: 75 Years and The Ballet Lover’s Companion.