Sergey Vinogradov
Photo credit: Classica School of Arts
Morocco's main TV channel recently aired a report about the highly anticipated premiere of The Nutcracker ballet on the main theater stage in Rabat, the capital. The production is executed by the Classica Russian school of arts. It has become the significant cultural event in the life of Morocco. Moroccan children and teenagers trained by Russian teachers are engaged in the ballet, Russian diplomats and representatives of the Ministry of Culture of Morocco were present at the premiere.
Inna Hennioui, the founder and head of the Ecole Des Arts Classica school in Fez https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100006162078510, chairman of the Coordinating Council of Organizations of Russian Compatriots in Morocco, told Russkiy Mir about the growth and development of her school, what role the international fame of Russian ballet has played in this, and how now the school graduates spread the spark of Russian culture all over the world.
Russian ballet is a brand in Africa
- How many years did it take to set up a performance in the capital?
- The school was founded a decade ago. The story behind it is quite common among our fellow countrymen living abroad. My daughter had an intense passion for ballet, but unfortunately, there were no ballet studios in the city of Fez. Determined to make her dream come true, I decided to take the risk and set up a ballet studio. I aspired to create a Russian ballet studio, and to achieve this, I invited a choreographer from Russia to impart the best traditions of the Russian school to the aspiring Moroccan children.
For the past 10 years, certified choreographers have been coming to us, teaching classical dance. As time passed, the school flourished, and now we offer a total of 11 diverse clubs where the young residents of Fez can engage in various creative pursuits. These clubs include painting, music (taught by Russian teachers), theater, and more. The school has seen a remarkable growth in the number of students. Approximately 150 to 200 students study at the ballet studio every year.
Photo credit: Classica School of Arts
- When your studio has started, how did you advertise it? Or Russian ballet does not need advertising?
- To my surprise, no special advertising was needed. In Arab countries, word of mouth works better than any advertising. Everything is built on trust. People go where their family and friends have advised them to go. It was risky to start developing ballet in a Muslim country, and one could assume that people would be worried of this art form because of their traditions and customs.
Fortunately, I-му encountered a remarkable situation where many of our students' mothers and grandmothers have practiced ballet during their childhood. These passionate parents brought their children to our ballet studio, and gradually our young pupils became deeply immersed in this exquisite art form. Their enthusiasm grew, and they started promoting Russian ballet among their peers. In our inaugural year, we welcomed approximately 70 eager students to the studio.
It's worth mentioning that Russian ballet is highly regarded and trusted; it holds significant popularity in Morocco as a brand. The moment I mentioned our choreographer-teacher from Russia, any doubts or questions vanished, people were delighted to enroll with the Russian instructor. The Russian system of education in the arts is very highly valued here.
Photo credit: Classica School of Arts
- Were you involved in creative or organizational activities before coming to Morocco?
- I am a professional mathematician, graduated from Donetsk University. I was very happy and creative child. I was graduated from a music school in the piano class. Since childhood I was actively engaged in social activities. Once in Morocco, I decided to contribute to the development of public diplomacy and the spread of Russian culture among the local population. We are happy to cooperate with Russian foundations and art schools, to participate in joint projects.
Ballet under the Russian flag
- Are Moroccan children, due to the local traditions, more constrained than Russian children? Is it more difficult to work with them?
- The children are, of course, more modest and uptight than ours, and at first they were very shy in class. Now it's not like that.
- How do you manage to attract Russian teachers?
- I found the first choreographer myself thanks to my personal contacts. After that, I managed to establish cooperation with the Belgorod Institute of Arts, Russia, and choreographers came to us from that city.
- Ten years is a long ride. Some of your students have already grown up. Someone has proceeded with dance on a professional level?
- Certainly! Some students have pursued dance careers after leaving our studio. A French girl obtained a choreographer diploma from a conservatory in France, and a Canadian girl continued her dance education after her time with us in Morocco. Their families were in Morocco for work contracts.
Photo credit: Classica School of Arts
Our primary objective or our students was not to pursue careers solely as choreographers. Instead, our school's mission has been to instill within them a deep appreciation for culture, aesthetics, and a love for art, classical music, and ballet. We strive to nurture well-rounded individuals who can value beauty, respect traditions, and develop both grace and good manners. Moreover, we take great pride in acquainting our students with Russian culture, art, and the rich heritage of ballet.
As our first graduates venture into their second or third year of higher education, they have chosen diverse professions such as architects, doctors, engineers, and more. Nevertheless, these young women continue to pursue their passion for dance. We maintain connection with them, witnessing how they diligently keep themselves in shape, attend classical dance studios, and cherish ballet as a beloved hobby. Our goal has always been to provide a holistic education that leaves a lasting impact, fostering a lifelong appreciation for the arts and an understanding of the importance of preserving cultural traditions.
- Who comes to your school now?
- Mainly Moroccans, middle class and above. Our school is considered expensive in comparison to other local schools involved in children's leisure activities. Besides classes, we put on plays, participate in festivals and competitions, national and international. This year we traveled abroad, our students performed in Valencia under the Russian and Moroccan flags. Despite the complex situation in the world, we were treated very kindly.
Photo credit: Classica School of Arts
The stars have aligned
- The Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky is a symbol of world ballet. Why did you stage it only for the 10th anniversary of the school?
- The Nutcracker is a very challenging production, and there are a lot of solo roles. We have done a full production in two acts for an hour and a half. The children have been asking for this performance for a long time, and finally marking the 10th anniversary of the school and the 130th anniversary of the premiere of The Nutcracker at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, we decided to realize our long-held dream. The stars just have aligned.
- How was the production preparation process?
- It was a labor of dedication and creativity. The costumes and scenery were meticulously crafted to bring the vision to life on stage. With more than a hundred participants ranging from 4 to 20 years old, each individual performed admirably, showcasing their talents according to their respective levels. Our heartfelt gratitude goes to our teacher, Julia Kazakova, who invested tremendous effort and personal time into making this production a success.
The children-soloists have dedicated an additional 40 hours of rehearsals on top of their regular lessons, demonstrating their commitment and passion. We extend our sincere appreciation to Rossotrudnichestvo for their consistent support throughout this journey. The Russian Embassy has also been a familiar ally, and we are grateful for their encouragement and recognition. Together, this collective effort and support have contributed to the success of the production, creating an unforgettable experience for all involved. The Russian House in Rabat helped us with scenery and costumes.
Photo credit: Classica School of Arts
- How did the audience react?
- We performed The Nutcracker in Rabat as part of the International Children's Festival named Childhood Without Borders. A huge amount of work was done to bring 100 families to the Moroccan capital. We deliberately did not sell tickets, entrance was by invitation. The Russian children's production drew a full house, and there were many calls asking for invitations. At first we were afraid that the theater would be empty, but in the end there were about 1000 people.
The guests noted the level of the production and our students. Employees of the Russian Embassy and Rossotrudnichestvo, the management of the National Theater, representatives of the Ministry of Culture of Morocco were present. Everyone liked the performance. Indeed, the risk can be a noble endeavor, and in this case, it has proven to be a rewarding one. With courage and determination, we brought your idea to life, and now, there are no regrets. The satisfaction was abundant, it was also shared among the organizers, the children, and their parents. This experience has set a new standard for our aspirations, and we feel now even greater determination on going onward and upward!
