Ballet performance "Carmen Suite and Bolero", performed by the Madlenijanum Opera and Theater from Belgrade and choreographed by Aleksandar Ilić, was performed last night (July 22) at the Ohrid Summer Festival and received several minutes of standing ovation.
This kind of reaction of spectators from various countries who come to the Ohrid summer, which is one of the most prominent festivals in Southeast Europe, has for the umpteenth time opened up the question of the state's relationship to dance art.
Cultural diplomacy
Although Serbian ballet and contemporary dance have been recording notable results on the international stage for years, the system support for this sector is still not at a level that would correspond to its importance and achievements. The state behaves as if cultural diplomacy is not important to it, as if such projects do not have a far wider significance than an artistic guest appearance.
Namely, this guest appearance was realized without additional support from the relevant ministries, thanks primarily to the support of Mrs. Madlena Cepter, who enabled Serbian artists to represent their country in a worthy manner.
Already after the end of the first part of the play "Carmen Suite", the ensemble was rewarded with standing ovations, while the performance of Ravel's "Boller" caused several minutes of applause.
Carmen and Bolero
Ana Teslić played the title role of Carmen with exceptional maturity and stage power. Aleksandar Polupanov as Jose, Lev Semennov as Toreador and Nikola Bianco as Zuniga were her worthy partners. The dance ensemble of the Institute for Artistic Dance, led by Anastasija Vujinović, Irina Lazić, Filip Stanić and Daniel Staniša, took part in the performance.
Photo: Promo/Marko UgarkovićBelgrade artists on the Ohrid summer
Led by Ognjen Vučinić, the "Bolera" ensemble performed one of the most demanding works of the contemporary ballet repertoire, in which Jovana Grujić, Vladimir Čubrilo, Nataša Spremo, Katarina Bućić and numerous other artists who make up this complex stage project stood out.
"Carmen Suite and Bolero" is rightfully considered among the most significant choreographic achievements of Aleksandar Ilić.
Elem, and this success of our artists and creators abroad proved that they are worthy representatives of national culture. And it will be like that as long as their love for art is enough of a driving force to work and represent Serbia.
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