The future of Russian ballet in the American women's photo project "Desperately Flawless»

Ballet is considered one of the hallmarks of Russia, and the Russian ballet school is recognized as one of the best in the world. Photo cycle Desperately Perfect ("Hopelessly Perfect») Rachel Papo talks about young talents who study at the Academy of Russian Ballet named after her. Vaganova. The grueling hours of training and the true spirit of the young dancers are the subject of admiration for the New York photographer.

The Academy was founded in 1738 by the decree of the Empress Anna Ioannovna and to this day retains the status of one of the best educational institutions in Russia. Among the ballet masters who taught at the academy in different years, it is worth noting such dance geniuses as Charles Louis Didelot, Jules Perrault, Marius Petipa, Enrico Cecchetti and many other great teachers. French, Italian, and Swedish traditions enriched Russian classical dance techniques.

Visiting the academy, Rachel Papo was pleasantly struck by the fact that in a country that is now on the path of Westernization, there are institutions that preserve the old methods of educating young people.

Talented guys and girls between the ages of 10 and 18 are doing incredible things — they train 12 hours a day, six days a week.

Hard work over the years gives the result: graduates of the educational institution are real professionals.

The photographer says that her project aims to show without embellishment the lives of teenagers who are in constant competition with each other.

The academy often hosts international reviews, and each of the students tries to show themselves. However, sometimes many people are suspended from participating in competitions if the coaches are not sure that their wards are 100% ready.

Rachel herself had studied ballet for nine years as a child, but she had never been at the top of her class. She, like no one else, understands what these guys are going through, forcing themselves to train again and again, turning a blind eye to failures and overcoming physical pain and fatigue. They strive for the ideal, try to hone their skills, their movements become almost identical, but they still persistently try to show their uniqueness.

Behind the scenes of the Mariinsky Theatre