January 2 saw the 500th performance of The Nutcracker ballet on stage of the Bolshoi Theater.

      The anniversary date coincided with the birthday of the ballet stage director Yury Grigorovich.

      The ballet was premiered on March 12, 1966. However, it should be noted that the creative biography of the ballet master has been connected with this performance for much longer. Since childhood he has had this thirst for ballet, Yuri Grigorovich explains. Besides, December 31 marked the 40th birthday of Nikolay Tsiskaridze, who also dedicated the biggest part of his life to the ballet stage and on his birthday decided to dance The Nutcracker traditionally. In addition to that the first Nutcracker staged by Nikolay Tsiskaridze has recently taken place on the stage of the Mariinsky Theater. He points out that this ballet has set the stage for his career.