Aigul Akhmetshina is accustomed to living life on the edge: between rehearsals and flights, major opera houses and tiny rented apartments, the fear of stepping on stage and the feeling of absolute freedom that comes with the first notes. Today, she is singing Dalila in London and Berlin, reflecting on the cost of an international career, burnout, directing, criticism and the future of opera — and increasingly asking herself what lies beyond the familiar image of the "femme fa

Art historian and art dealer Olga Tinitskaya explains how to distinguish an authentic work of art from a forgery, why an unassuming object can be worth a fortune, and where to look for rare antiques today. In this interview, she takes us behind the scenes of million-euro auction deals, shares the secrets of art attribution, discusses her work with collectors and her first steps in the art market, and reveals why every valuable object holds not only a piece of art history but

Japanese dancer Haruka Sassa’s path to Berlin was anything but planned. After years in Japan, the United States, Sweden and Norway, she arrived at Staatsballett Berlin almost spontaneously — first as a soloist, and soon after as a principal dancer.

After the XV International Ballet Competition came to an end, Marmus Auguste’s bronze medal became an important event not only for the artist himself, but also for the Hungarian National Ballet, which he represents. The young dancer went through several rounds, demanding programs, and growing competitive pressure while preserving what matters most: stage expressiveness, technical focus, and the ability to remain fully inside the character.

The Korean pair Kim Min-jin and Lee Kang-won became one of the brightest impressions of the XV International Ballet Competition. Their performances were received with great enthusiasm, and the artists were called for an encore — a rare and truly phenomenal moment for a competition stage.

For Denis Watanabe from Japan, performing on the stage of the Bolshoi Theatre became a special experience: after several years without competitions, he once again found himself in a competitive atmosphere, where technique and focus matter, but so does the ability to cope with one’s own nerves.

Vladislav Bashmakov shared his impressions of the XV International Ballet Competition, his preparation for performing, the nerves before going on stage, and what helps an artist maintain confidence in performance.

XV International Ballet Competition in Moscow brings together young performers from different countries and schools, creating a space not only for professional competition but also for the exchange of experience, inspiration, and new encounters.

Tan Sağtürk (Advisor to the Minister of Culture and Tourism of Turkey on Arts Affairs, Vice President of the International Federation of Ballet Competitions (IFBC)), an artist, teacher, and director with extensive international experience, reflects on the importance of competitions like the International Ballet Competition, the balance between technique and artistry, how the jury recognizes a young performer's potential in the first round, and why a single mistake shouldn't r

During the first round of the competition, we spoke with Anna Bylkova — a participant from Russia and a student at the Moscow State Academy of Choreography. For young artists, a competition performance becomes a moment of maximum студенткой Московской государственной академии хореографии. Для молодых артистов конкурсное выступление становится моментом максимальной концентрации: за несколько минут нужно показать технику, образ, музыкальность, характер и умение собрать на сцене