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A Word of Thanks to the Partners of the Grand Prix

The Mikhailovsky Theatre Grand Prix 2011, the third annual competition for students at Russian ballet schools, has drawn to a close. We are confident that the young participants can all look forward to a bright future. These students have dreamed of appearing on the same stage as recognized ballet stars and of having the chance to demonstrate their abilities. This dream has come true thanks to the help of the theatre’s friends and partners, to whom we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks.


Our partners have supported the Grand Prix since its very beginning, and they plan to continue their support in the future. The Grand Hotel Europe is the General Partner of the Grand Prix, and we would especially like to thank General Director Leon Larkin and Hotel Manager Yulia Pashkovskaya. The Grand Hotel Europe became a home away from home for the participants during the Grand Prix. DLA Piper is an Official Partner of the Grand Prix, and we wish to express our sincere gratitude to Olga Litvinova, the company’s Managing Partner in St. Petersburg. Deloitte and the Baltic Travel Company also made significant contributions to the organization of the Grand Prix. We are deeply grateful to them for their help in supporting the young performers and their teachers. We would like to extend special thanks to patron Toshihiko Takahashi, who has supported the Grand Prix for a third year and has helped to preserve this fine tradition.

Representatives of the partner companies joined the Artistic Council and the Mikhailovsky Theatre’s principal dancers in presenting the Grand Prix winners with their prizes. Sponsor Toshihiko Takahashi and Mikhailovsky Theatre prima ballerina Natalia Osipova presented the Grand Prix to Kseniya Ryzhkova. Irina Khlopova, Public Relations Director of the Grand Hotel Europe, and Nacho Duato, Artistic Director of the Mikhailovsky Ballet, presented the gold medal to Marina Volkova. Olga Litvinova, Managing Partner of DLA Piper in St. Petersburg, and Ivan Liška, Artistic Director of the Bavarian State Ballet, presented Yury Kudryavtsev with the silver medal. Sharif Galeev, Managing Director of Deloitte’s St. Petersburg office, and Mikhailovsky Theatre prima ballerina Ekaterina Borchenko presented the bronze medal to Polina Ryasnaya.