Ladies and Gentlemen!
 

In this introductory statement, I confess to my love of one of the best periods in the history of the Russian and world culture. I would insist on the term "period" because it implies cyclicity. Existence of the "Russian Seasons" terminated with the demise of Sergei Diagelev, one of the greatest patriots of Russia and educators of Western Europe.

 

The Diagelev period was succeeded by new trends and styles — they were fashionable, progressive and even insane. However, none of the 20th century trends experienced such an equal upsurge and upraise. And now, on the eve of centennial of the "Russian Seasons" I would like to immerse you, dear guests, in the atmosphere of sweet languor at the sight of sets and costumes of that time and try to convey our perception of how it could have been in those times, exactly a hundred years ago.
 

We do not have true discoverers amongst us these days but am still happy to introduce to you the team I am privileged to work with for they are the followers of those great artistic discoveries. First and foremost, I would like to note that Anatoli and Anna Nejny will again surprise Moscow with Golovin's and Bakst's sophisticated novelty of sets. This time the burden of restoration was on Anna's shoulders. The beauty of lines and exuberance of colors must strike the imagination of most sophisticated spectators. The new project jointly initiated by Maris Liepa Charitable Fund, SAV Entertainment and the Kremlin Ballet Theater is known as "Russian Seasons of the 21st Century". That is exactly why I insist on the word "period". Our Group is in love with that project and truly believes it would become a worthy continuation of the great traditions founded by all participants of the Diagilev period. What we need to do is to create new performances proceeding from the largely lost origins and fill them with the energy of the present day. It is a challenging task but we do have the experience of the "Return of the Wonder-Bird" Project and we can rely on its success. The experience we have acquired is indispensable for the "Russian Seasons". And that is the name we gave to our new website. Nadejda Solovyova is the producer of the new Project. I, Andris Liepa, have again come to the Kremlin Ballet and this time Andrei Petrov and myself are artistic directors of the Project. On our invitation Wane Engling, artistic director of the British National Ballet, came to produce choreography of "Blue God". The principal parts in "Blue God" are performed by Nikolai Tsiskaridze and llze Liepa.
 

The photos of Vaclav Nijinsky have inspired more than one generation of ballet dancers and ballet lovers. For us they are an indispensable support in our exploratory endeavors.
 

All our aspirations and hopes have received benediction and I want to say — may God help us! And invite you to the "Russian Seasons of the 21st Century" Project. 
 
The new period is hereby declared opened.
 

Chairman of Maris Liepa Charitable Foundation Andris Liepa