VIOLETTA MAINIECE

Theatre critic, ballet critic and historian, scriptwriter. Consultant at the musical theatre department of the Union of Theatre Workers of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation.

In 1973, she graduated from the Faculty of Theatre Studies at the State Institute of Theatre Art (at present the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts — GITIS). In 1976 — completed postgraduate course at the GITIS (Ballet Master faculty).

In 1976-1982, taught history of ballet and theatre history at the Moscow State Academy of Choreography. Following a break, which started in 1997 until now, she now occupies this position again. Teaches ballet history at the Institute of Contemporary Art (Moscow) and at the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts — GITIS (Theatre Studies faculty).

From 2000 to 2005, she was a deputy chief editor of The Big Magazine of the Bolshoi Theatre. Editor of the Almanac of the Bolshoi Academy (2004-2010), the book “From the History of Moscow Ballet School. 1773-1917” (2013), ballet theory books, teaching aids and programs, etc. Author of articles in the booklets of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia, numerous articles in magazines and newspapers: Musical Life, Culture, Ballet, Royals, Māksla, Musicseasons.org, etc. Author of articles in encyclopaedias “Ballet” and “Russian Ballet”. Observer of the German magazine Tanz in Russia (2000-2017). Author of book “The Many-Faced God of Dance” (2019). Screenwriter of films “The Metamorphosis of Leonid Lavrovsky” (2005), “Sergei Diaghilev’s Paris” (2010), ballet scenarios of the television show “Absolute Pitch” on TV channel “Russia — Culture” since 2009.

In 2018-2020, she gave a series of lectures at the Sirius Educational Center for Gifted Children (Sochi). She gave three video lectures dedicated to the 200th anniversary of Marius Petipa, his life and work, which were specially created for the Sirius Center’s website. She has spoken at a number of scientific conferences dedicated to the work of Petipa and other distinguished 19th- and 20th-century choreographers.

Several times was a member of the jury and expert board member of the “Golden Mask” National Theatre Award. Member of the Press jury of the Ekaterina Maximova Ballet Competition “Arabesque”. Jury member of Ballet Competition in Valenciennes (France, 2007-2012).

Winner of the “Soul of Dance” prize, instituted by the Ballet magazine, in the nomination “Press Leader” (2019).