There is a claim that art is beyond politics. However, this is not the case in Russia, which has used culture as a tool for propaganda, justification of imperialist ambitions, and "soft power" to further Russian expansion in the West. Russian ballet isn't an exception.
"Propaganda in Russian ballet is extremely strong, as ballet is an export product and a tool of soft power. Russia shapes public opinion through its culture, particularly ballet. As ballet is associated with grace and beauty, it is difficult to imagine what is behind this ballet." - Viktoriia Zvarych, a ballet dancer at the Lviv Opera Theatre, says.
There have been numerous instances in which Russian ballet dancers visited occupied Ukrainian territory, publicly supported Russian government actions, and even supported the Russian army's invasion of Ukraine.
In addition, from an anti-colonial perspective, Russian ballet seeks to maintain the status quo in post-Soviet countries. According to Viktoriia, even after the collapse of the USSR, the repertoire, educational programs for dancers, and types of performances were developed using Russian methodology. In turn, artists from these countries were still associated with "Russian ballet", despite representing other independent countries.
Sergei Polunin is the first example of a Russian ballet artist who not only supports the Russian government's actions by participating in propagandistic activities (e.g., shooting a film in Donbas glorifying the Russian occupation of this Ukrainian region or opening the festival "Opera in Khersones" in occupied Crimea) but has also begun to raise funds for the Russian military who are involved in the invasion of Ukraine.
In addition, he served as the rector of the Sevastopol Choreography Academy in occupied Crimea since 2019 and has received an award from the Russian President Vladimir Putin "for the development and popularisation of the national choreographic art".
Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Polunin has repeatedly stated that he supports the actions of the Russian army in Ukraine and admires Russian soldiers.
"I thought today about the dead soldiers who gave their lives for our generation's freedom[...] In this dance, I have a conversation with these guys [Russian soldiers], who fought for us and gave their lives." - said Polunin prior to the forum-exhibition "Russia", where he performed a war-themed song by Russian singer SHAMAN, who also supports the war in Ukraine.
Svetlana Zakharova, a Russian ballet dancer, is another example of a Russian artist who supported Kremlin policies. She previously served as a Russian State Duma deputy and actively supported Crimea's annexation in 2014. She also served as a trustee for Vladimir Putin during Russia's presidential elections.
Despite her support for the Russian government, she continued on international tours; however, after the outbreak of full-scale war, her concerts in Italy, Slovenia, and South Korea were cancelled.
Not only do individual artists support Russian politics. There are also performances staged in occupied Ukrainian territories. Russian ballet artists not only visited occupied Ukrainian territories but also staged performances that glorified the occupation. For example, in 2023, the Kremlin Ballet collaborated with the cast of Donetsk Opera Theatre to stage the ballet "War and Peace".
The first theatres to host performances were those in occupied Sevastopol and Simferopol. In addition, the Donetsk Opera Theatre had been organising concerts in honour of "The Republic's Day" of the so-called "DPR" and staging performances that promoted "the power and courage" of the Russian people.
Lastly, artists from the Russian Bolshoi Theatre supported the invasion of Ukraine. On April 19, 2022, as Russian troops attacked and occupied Ukrainian cities, there was a performance "in support of evacuated refugees from Donbas and those who defend the country [Russia]".
Despite support for Kremlin actions, Russian ballet remains a tool of Russia's soft power in the West. Russian artists continue to tour and perform internationally. This approach is not new; Russia has used ballet for propaganda since the Russian Empire and, later, the Soviet Union.
"During the Soviet era, tours were a political decision. There were only 'right' people. The repertoire was also shaped in the ideologically 'correct' way. Even after the collapse of the USSR, ballet remained a tool of Russian 'soft power.'" - concludes Viktoriia Zvarych.
However, Ukrainian communities in various countries continue to stand against Russian artist tours, citing the fact that Russian culture is inherently political.
"Promoting soft Russification through ballet is a dangerous manifestation of Russian culture. The promotion of the idea that Russia is not bombs and missiles, but a country with a right to be in the civilized world follows ballerinas in beautiful tutus and pointe shoes." Oleksandr Taran, President of the Ukrainian-American organisation "Svitanok," explains.
On April 18 and 19, 2024, activists and the Ukrainian community in New York organised a protest against performances by Russian Mariinsky Theatre artists at Lincoln Center. According to organisers, the artists visited occupied Crimea
, despite previously claiming on social media that they "don't deal with politics".
"We gathered people in front of Lincoln Center, purchased attributes, and dressed up women from our team as ballerinas. We used artificial blood to demonstrate how Russian culture leads to bloodshed and death. We also used our main character, a woman dressed in a bloody Russian costume that represents modern Russia," explains Oleksandr.
As a result of the protest, the Russian ballet dancers' performance was cancelled.
Another example of Russian ballet's expansion in the West is the Russian Classical Ballet's performance in Milan's Italian theatres, La Scala and Lirico. On January 15, 2024, Russian artists performed "The Sleeping Beauty" in a theatre. In response, the Ukrainian community held a protest in front of the theatre.
"From the culture that is promoted in their [Russian] schools and literature, they take the idea of supremacy and imperialist ambition and grow up with it. They are full of 'great culture'. It has a place, but it only accounts for 5% of global culture", according to Valeriia Kalchenko, the protest organiser.
However, Russian culture is not limited to ballet seasons. In addition to ballet performances, Russian artists organized the show "Russiana," which showcased Belarusian, Tatar, Moldovan, and even Ukrainian dances as part of Russian culture
. This approach preserves the Russian narrative about "brother nations" under Russian supremacy while appropriating cultures from other countries and nations as "Russian".
Other countries use similar tactics of cultural appropriation. For example, when Russian artists tour the United States, Ukrainian dances and songs are presented as Russian.
"If the Moscow Moyseev Ballet presents hopak as a Russian folk dance using 'Shchedryk of Leontovych', this is a weapon against Ukrainians. The average spectator, who is unfamiliar with history, will appreciate the music and dance and conclude that it is Russian," explains Marta Farion, the President of Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America. She also took part in protests against Russian cultural expansion and performances by Russian artists.
To summarise, Russian ballet represents the "greatness" of Russian culture and serves as an important component in constructing Russia's image abroad. However, support for the occupation and invasion of Ukraine, appropriation of other nations' cultures, and direct promotion of the Russian government demonstrate that Russian ballet is an effective tool of state propaganda.
The article was originally published on the Kremlin's Voice platform.
