Official website of the President of Russia

News   /

Mr Putin’s telegram of congratulations reads, in particular:

“The Academy is deservedly called ‘the cradle of Russian ballet’, for it was here within these walls that authentic masters, whose names are world-renowned, reached the heights of their art.

This anniversary provides yet another occasion to express respect and gratitude to the many generations of teachers and mentors who preserve and continue the finest traditions of the Russian choreographic school”.

The Academy was named in honour of Agrippina Vaganova (1879–1951), an outstanding ballerina and teacher. Its graduates include some of the finest names in the long history of Russian ballet: Mikhail Fokin, Anna Pavlova, Vaclav Nijinsky, George Balanchine, Galina Ulanova, Yury Grigorovich, Rudolf Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov.