RUZAIK FAROOK
COLOMBO — More than 1,600 students sat for this year’s Russian Classical Ballet Examination, the largest number ever to take part in the examination in Sri Lanka. Which was held in Colombo recently.
Students aged four and above came from across the island, including Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Negombo, Matara, Kelaniya, Panadura, Wattala, Kiribathgoda, Ratnapura, Kandy, Kurunegala, Bandarawela and Badulla. They are taught by 15 dedicated teachers trained in the Vaganova method, the renowned Russian system of classical ballet training.
Russian School of Ballet and Dancing was established in 2001 by Michael Ustinov, Buddhapriya Ramanayake and Mrs Chandi Aluvihare, with Mrs Galina Pleshakova as its founding instructor. Today the School is led by Director Madam Maria Popova, Counsellor of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Sri Lanka. His Excellency Levan Dzhagaryan
Russian Ambassador for Sri Lanka and Maldives welcomed the Patron and Examiner Dr. Oxana Karnovich of the Moscow State Academy of Choreography.
Dr. Karnovich is a distinguished academic and curator. She is an Associate Professor at the Department of Choreography and Ballet Studies at the prestigious Moscow State Academy of Choreography, Head of the iconic M. M. Plisetskaya Apartment, where she safeguards the legacy of one of ballet’s greatest legends. With a Ph.D. in Art History and nearly a hundred published articles to her name, Dr. Karnovich is a highly sought-after international speaker dedicated to enriching and elevating the global discourse on dance history, her extensive background enriches her diverse roles, highlighting a dedication to preserving the artistic heritage of ballet and opera.
This year is the Silver Jubilee of the Russian School of Ballet and dancing— a momentous milestone marking 25 years of remarkable talent and tireless devotion to the classical ballet artistry in Sri Lanka.
Beyond artistic excellence, the School aims to raise young people with compassion and a sense of purpose. It seeks partnerships that benefit society and give its students a meaningful role.
This year, the School partnered with the Beyond Borders Foundation, a Sri Lankan conservation organisation working across wildlife protection, community wellbeing and cross-border research. Together they are raising awareness of the Ceylon elephant and the suffering these gentle giants face because of human-elephant conflict. The goal is to help a new generation understand why protecting Sri Lanka’s natural heritage matters.
To mark the partnership, the School changed the colour of its medal ribbons and certificates to teal blue. Every student who receives a medal this year will carry this symbol of the cause..
