"Leningrad retains its real dignity despite the transfer of power, despite political demotion. […] A noble city of fair aspect; yet sad, deeply sad; too much rent by the ravages of history. The wounds heal, but the scars remain. That deep-lying sadness and tragic mien contribute to the heroic edifice—great ballet!"
~~Leningrad’s Ballet: Maryinsky to Kirov
Examining “Russianness” through the lens of the Kirov Ballet reveals key aspects of the Russian spirit: an ardent desire for greatness, a fierce ethos of sacrifice, and a “deep-lying sadness” that is the essence of the morose, captivating majesty of the Russian soul.
[Word Count: 100]