Ballet Star Polunin Exits Russia After Years of Controversy
Table of Contents
Sergei Polunin, a globally celebrated ballet dancer, has announced his departure from Russia, marking a significant turn for teh artist who once openly supported the country’s actions in Ukraine and even bore three tattoos of President Vladimir Putin. The news, initially shared on Instagram, signals the end of a chapter marked by both artistic acclaim and political controversy.
Polunin, 35, offered no explicit reason for his exit, stating simply, “My time in Russia is long over. I think I have fulfilled my duty here.” He further elaborated, suggesting a deeper, more personal motivation: “I got everything I needed in Russia, but there comes a time in life when a person realizes that there is no place for a soul.”
The dancer’s departure will include his wife, Jelena, and their three children. However, Polunin himself admitted uncertainty about their future destination, adding, “But it’s still not clear where we’re going.”
Reports from Russian media outlets suggest a possible link between Polunin’s departure and recent unsettling events. He reportedly complained of receiving suspicious packages, fearing one might contain an explosive device, and also voiced concerns about being followed.These incidents, while not definitively confirmed as the reason for his departure, add a layer of intrigue to the situation.
Polunin’s trajectory has been one of dramatic shifts.He rose to prominence at London’s Royal Ballet before becoming a staunch supporter of Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. He obtained Russian citizenship in 2019 and even received an award from Putin himself,further solidifying his public alignment with the Russian government. Under Putin’s governance, he was appointed director of a theater and dance academy in Sevastopol, a city under Russian control as the 2014 annexation.
Recent months, however, appear to have marked a turning point. Following the August replacement of the dance academy’s head, Marija Alexandrová, a former prima ballerina at the Bolshoi Theater, Polunin expressed remorse on social media, stating he felt “extremely sorry” for the people in a Russian-bombed town near Kherson, Ukraine – his family’s origin. The subsequent replacement of Polunin as head of the Sevastopol Theater by russian Culture Minister Olga Ljubimova adds another layer to the unfolding narrative.
Polunin’s story, from a Ukrainian-born ballet prodigy to a controversial figure in the heart of geopolitical conflict, now takes another unexpected turn. His departure from Russia leaves many questions unanswered, but it undeniably marks a significant chapter in the life of a dancer whose career has been as dramatic as his political stances.
Sergei Polunin: A Ballerina’s Journey From Prodigy to controversy
Sergei Polunin’s meteoric rise in the world of ballet is the stuff of legend. By age 13, he was already a prodigious talent, and at just 19, he became the youngest soloist ever at London’s Royal Ballet.A mere four years later,he was appointed Artistic director,a testament to his unparalleled skill and charisma. His trajectory, however, took a dramatic turn.
In 2012, Polunin shocked the dance community by abruptly leaving his prestigious position to pursue acting. While he later relocated to Russia and continued his dance career, the move signaled a shift in his priorities and a departure from the conventional path of a ballet star.this decision,while unexpected,paved the way for a unique and often controversial career path.
Polunin’s international career continued to flourish. His first Czech Republic performance in 2017 at Prague’s National Theatre featured a film documenting his career’s highs and lows, aptly titled “Dancer.” Two years later, his “satori” project fully sold out the Karlín forum in Prague, prompting five consecutive changes to smaller venues to accommodate the overwhelming demand. He later returned with a captivating 40-minute solo performance, “Up, Close & Personal,” inspired by the iconic dancer and choreographer Václav Nižinský.
However, Polunin’s outspoken political views have also cast a shadow on his career. A planned 2022 performance in Kroměříž,Czech republic,was canceled following the Russian invasion of Ukraine due to his perceived support for Vladimir Putin. A spokesperson for the Archbishop of Olomouc, who manages the Podzámecká Garden where the performance was to take place, explained the cancellation: “We asked for the artist’s opinion on the situation in Ukraine, we did not receive this statement, and we agreed with the organizing body not to hold and cancel the concert.”
A Candid Look at Life Beyond the Spotlight
In a 2017 interview with presenter emma Smetana for DVTV during his first Prague visit, Polunin offered a candid glimpse into his life.The interview, available online, includes his now-famous quote: “Drugs were a waste of time, I don’t count tattoos, dancers have no money or freedom.”
The video provides a raw and unfiltered outlook on the challenges and sacrifices inherent in a career as demanding as ballet. It underscores the complexities of polunin’s life, both on and off the stage.
