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The US authorities didn't let Russian performers in the country, RIA Novosti reports. Prima ballerina Olga Smirnova and first soloist Jacopo Tissi from Bolshoi Theater were denied US visas.
The denial was issued on April 10th but the performers were informed only a week later.
As the loсal media reported, they had to perform at the Lincoln Center in New York.
According to the Bolshoi Theater management, it is hard to comprehend what has motivated US homeland security to take decision of such nature. The chances are that a political motivation might have been behind the decision.
«I don't understand why, aside of the fact that they are Russian citizens. But it makes no sense at all,», the Youth America Grand Prix chairman Lynda K. Morse advised.
It's an alarming sign, said Mrs. Morse. This kind of situation has never occurred in the history of ballet. Even during the height of the Cold War Bolshoi Theater dancers could travel overseas. The YAGP Chairman has stressed that she's “shocked” by the visa denial to the “one of the best ballet dancers in the world” Olga Smirnova.
Russkiy Mir
