The Bolshoi Ballet and The Mariinsky Ballet are two very powerful theaters with old history and traditions, which make them still the most famous in the world.

Today i want to share with you my vision on the situation as a ballet dancer from The Mariinsky Theater, who sometimes also dances on the Bolshoi Stage.

As people love to compare them, i will try to compare them not to chose which one is the best (because i believe it's a question that will never be resolved) but more basing myself on the facts.

HOW DIFFERENT ARE THEY ?

Moscow being the capital of Russia is a cultural city, and if we talk about culture in Russia, it can't exist without ballet.

Ballet is still very well respected and admired, a little bit like football in England.

Discover today the most famous ballet in Moscow.

My dream to work at The Mariinsky Theater came naturally, since I loved the Kirov's ballerinas, their style, manners, purity and beauty. My first trip to Saint Petersburg confirmed that my soul here felt at home, a strange feeling.

I decide to share with you today what I consider to be Saint Petersburg's unique footprint, these specifics and unique ballets that are linked to this theater ; they can be exclusive to our theater repertoire, or they originate from this theater.

The New Holland is a trendy green zone to rest for young people and families, enjoyable all the year, though especially in the summer. If you want to discover not a place of tourism but more a place of typical Saint Petersburg life, take some sun, have a nice lunch and enjoy your time, make a stop !

Saint Petersburg and Moscow being the main cities of Russia, are like two opposite worlds, as if there were not from the same country.

Today, I want to share a funny vision of the contrasts between the two biggest cities of Russia : Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

In which way are they the example of two different lifestyles and mentality ?

I want to share with you today my experience, and why I believe having a mentor in general is not only the most beautiful gift you can receive, but also the true key to success.

The Kupetz Eliseevs Food Hall (Елисеевский магазин) is the most striking building of St. Petersburg Art Nouveau architecture, located on Nevsky Prospect 56.

A very small and local Russian Harrods !

"I am thankful for today" and "Mickey Monkeys" are probably the most Instagrammable places in town, so make sure not to miss them when you visit Saint Petersburg.

Meet today with the Saint Petersburg-based ballet photograph Evgenia Matvienko.

She will share her vision for Art, Ballet and Photography.

Let's discover and share together the traditions of this world today—with a culinary pleasure in complement ! Maslenitsa, La Chandeleur ... A very old and tasty celebration.

Discover the Yusupov Palace, one of the few surviving and well-preserved aristocratic mansions in St. Petersburg, which has belonged to the wealthy Yusupov family for five generations.

This is the top place I would advise in town, if you just want to have a tasty and fulfilling breakfast in a chilling and comfortable atmosphere.

Today we welcome Vladimir, a massage therapist with Golden Hands.

His therapy is something unique and wonderful, which is why I decided to add in a complementary interview with him. Maybe it will bring a deeper understanding, or at least new ideas.

DISCOVER the Stroganov Palace, a splendid example of Russian Baroque with Classicism interiors.

Located on the main avenue (Nevsky Prospect), The Stroganoff Palace used to be the residential building of the Stroganoff Family, a long-established family of industrialists and Art collectors.

Today, I want to share with you, how massage therapy with an incredible therapist changed my life forever (and I hope if you have the desire and chance, yours too !)

As I wrote this title, I started smiling. For most ballet dancers, the notion of self-care and self-love is unknown. We all know what hard work, sweat, pain, and diligence are. Ballet will never teach you, until you learn them yourself.

DISCOVER MY SELF CARE.

Baryshnikov always inspired me. I admire in him, the ability to dance so easily, as if it didn’t cost any power or struggle, and also to dance everything so brightly. If a dancer is great, he/she is great at everything.

So what about this division in Russian Ballet about Character and Classical Dance ?

Enjoy your trip around Saint Petersburg and discover the true Russia.

For tourists, as well as locals.

Discover one of my favorite places to rest in full nature and why I recommend this place.

Recently, I watched the movie-serial about Mathilde Kschessinska’s life, in which I found incredible inspiration. Working at the Mariinsky nowadays, the comparison was especially perspicacious: same place, one theater, but different time.

What is exactly BALLET ?