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Ex-Bolshoi ballet star Nikolai Tsiskaridze happy in new post

St.PETERSBURG, January 16. /ITAR-TASS/. Ex- Bolshoi ballet star Nikolai Tsiskaridze appointed Acting Rector of the Vaganova Ballet Academy said he was happy in his new post at a press conference held at the Academy on Thursday.

Asked if he was going to continue his career as a ballet dancer, Tsiskaridze said that he had not practiced dancing since last July, but he feels good, being in the new post. "I have honestly done my duty (as a ballet dancer) for 21 years," he said. Neither he has missed much his ballet teaching practice. " I conduct rehearsals when necessary," he said, referring to a series of the recent "Nutcracker" presentations by students of the ballet academy at the Mariinsky Theater during the New Year holidays.

Tsiskaridze said he has been attending lessons by ballet choreographers of the academy, always asking for their permission to attend, although his position as an acting rector entitles him to attend any lesson without preliminary notification.

Tsikaridze highly praised People's Artist of Russia Zhanna Ayupova appointed Chief Artistic Director of the Vaganova Ballet Academy. "She took office in January and was given a warm welcome by all the teachers and students of the academy," Tsiskaridze said. He reminded of his first night on the Mariinsky stage when Zhanna Ayupova was the first to bring the young rising ballet star Nikolai Tsiskaridze to the Mariinsky stage. "We have danced together many times since. She is one greatest ballerinas, and I am happy that we will continue to work together at the academy now," Tsiskaridze said.

The election of the rector of the academy will be held strictly in accordance with the its Charter, Tsiskaridze said. The academy is to return from vacation on February 4, and then a conference will be held at which candidates for the Academic Board will be nominated. After the Academic Board is endorsed a date for the election of the academy rector will be officially announced.

"The teachers' staff has remained unchanged yet; in future, all cadre problems will be settled in the framework of the Academic Board of the Academy," Tsiskaridze told the press conference.

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