In northern Europe, bordering Russia, there are 3 small republics called the Baltic States: Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia.
Each of these countries became independent from Russia more than 20 years ago. They have a kind of national hero, who was not a prominent military man, not a relevant scientist, not an established writer.
In the case of Estonia it was a chess player.
His name was Paul Keres, who became the second player in the world.
And in the case of Latvia, a country of almost three million inhabitants and whose capital is Riga, the national figure is a ballet dancer. His name is Mikjail Barishnikov and he was born in January 1948.
He was 26 years old and already very prestigious, when, while on tour in Canada and his country under the domination of the Soviet Union, he decided to desert.
He applied for US citizenship and not only was it granted, but he was simultaneously appointed director of the American Ballet Theatre, one of the 2 most important in the US.
Critics consider him among the three greatest dancers of all time, along with Nijinsky and Nureyev.
He acted in several movies. The best known was called “Midnight Sun” and had the leading role.
He was twice in our country acting. She was the first time 30 years old and returned ten years later.
A great pain pervaded his entire life.
He was 12 years old and had a very close relationship with his mother.
She committed suicide, without him being able to know the reason and without leaving even a line.
The sparkling and cheerful child that he was, became sad, taciturn and easily irritable for years. Of very short stature, his success with women is proverbial. He states that he does not believe in papers and for this reason he never married, even when he is a father of 4 children. His eldest daughter was born from his relationship with the well-known actress Jessica Lange.
The Argentine dancer Julio Bocca told this anecdote, which I will reiterate in his own words:-“My first meeting with Mikjail was in the American Ballet Theater studios.
After a 12-hour trip from Buenos Aires, I arrived at the famous theater in New York. A door opened and he (who was then running the aforementioned institute) appeared. He then told me: ”-“ Good afternoon. Get changed and let’s go to a class”. The next day I signed a contract as principal dancer of that company, one of the best in the world. I was 19 years old.”
And Julio Bocca added:-“Baryshnikov was always very quiet and shy. Among other anecdotes with him, I remember a gala to benefit the Kirov ballet.
He asked me to carry, as if it were another bag, a painting, which ended up being a very valuable work by a Spanish painter. Luckily nothing happened to him! In addition to being a great dancer, with a lot of personality, I think Baryshnikov gave ballet an important turn, especially towards the possibility of seeing it more as a show and not just for a few”.
He was 27 years old when he moved to the US.
There are many more, those who lived in this country, which gave him fame, money and peace of mind.
During his time in Buenos Aires, the artist showed his simplicity and greatness. He reflected with his presence how important discipline is. And what scope does a life formation have in the first years.
He expressed himself spontaneously and free of all divisiveness.
And today I wanted to bring this world figure of dance. She hardly dances anymore, past 60 years.
Since the miracle of art is unaware of time, he currently teaches. Mikjail Barishnikov, like all the greats of art, broke down borders.
And I close this note with an af. referring to his natural modesty and his rejection of arrogance. “When the great artist is dazzled by light, he dwarfs himself.”
Source: Ambito
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