The large-scale exhibition titled “First location” opened in St. Petersburg at the Manezh Central Exhibition Hall, marking a major cultural event for the city. According to a correspondent from socialbites.ca, the opening took place on February 21, inviting visitors to explore a carefully curated program that sheds new light on Russian ballet history and its enduring legacy.
Anna Yalova, who directs the Manege Central Exhibition Hall, described the show as a journey filled with secrets and surprises. She noted that the curatorial team had delved into archival material so contemporary audiences could encounter aspects of ballet that have remained unseen for two to three centuries. The lineup demonstrates a proud lineage, highlighting the many descendants who have contributed to the evolution of ballet and its storytelling, from the earliest performances to today.
Key figures from the cultural sector also participated in the opening ceremonies, including Elena Kharlamova, head of the Museums and Foreign Communications Department at the Russian Ministry of Culture; Agniya Sterligova, director general of the Planet9 Bureau; Olga Galaktionova, the general manager of ROSIZO; Pavel Kaplevich, the exhibition’s creative curator; and Alexander Karmaev, the producer. Their remarks underscored the collaborative effort behind the exhibition and its broader significance for Russian arts and heritage. Guests who arrived for the event reflected a growing interest in ballet’s historical arc and its continued resonance across generations.
The exhibition was organized to coincide with the 350th anniversary of Russian ballet, celebrated on February 17. Across St. Petersburg, Moscow, and other regions of Russia, more than a thousand exhibits drawn from forty museums, archives, and libraries provide a panoramic view of ballet history. Among the treasures on display are Mikhail Vrubel’s paintings and Zinaida Serebryakova’s works, the incense used by Galina Ulanova for the Dying Swan performance, Matilda Kshesinskaya’s pointe shoes, and personal artifacts belonging to Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Agrippina Vaganova, and Alexander Benois. The exhibition also features Russian Seasons posters, archival videos, and photographs that collectively illuminate the art form’s evolution and cultural footprint.
Visitors will move through thematically organized zones that trace Russian ballet from its early roots in the late 17th century to contemporary practice. They can explore sections such as “Costume Store,” “School,” and “Anatomy of Ballet,” which together offer a multi-sensory understanding of how ballet has been taught, performed, and perceived over centuries. In addition, audio accompaniments by artists Yulia Rutberg and Igor Mirkurbanov accompany guests through synchronized headphone experiences, aligning sound with each participant’s location to create an immersive, personalized tour.
The Manege Central Exhibition Hall and the Planet9 Bureau organized the event, with support from the Presidential Cultural Initiatives Fund. This collaboration reflects a broader commitment to bringing archival ballet history to public audiences in Russia and beyond, highlighting the ways in which cultural institutions can work together to celebrate artistic milestones and preserve national heritage for future generations. The exhibition’s mood and structure invite thoughtful dialogue about the means by which ballet has inhabited and influenced Russian cultural life.
In related programming, it was announced that another exhibition, devoted to the 120th anniversary of the birth of artist Anatoly Kaplan, would soon be presented in St. Petersburg. This forthcoming showcase demonstrates the city’s continued dedication to commemorating pivotal figures in Russian art and performance, reinforcing the sense that galleries and museums remain vibrant centers for discovery and debate. The interweaving of historical pieces with contemporary curatorial insights offers visitors a rich, layered understanding of how ballet’s past informs its present and future directions.