Ballerina Alina Cojocaru wins ''Benoît de la Dance''
Ballerina Alina Cojocaru became for the second time the Laureate of the ”Benoît de la Dance” prize at the “Ballerinas” category, one of the most prestigious honors in the dance world.
25 Mai 2012, 07:37
Alina Cojocaru confirmed its reputation as one of the great ballerinas of the beginning of the century, adding to the long list of international awards another prize,''Benoît from Dance'' for the best dancer.
The award ceremony took place on one of the great scenes of the ballet, the Grand Theater, “Balshoi” Theater in Moscow, where was held the 20th International Festival, with the occasion of the award winners.
The name of the winner was announced by the Balshoi Ballet's artistic director, Evgeny Fomin.
“Alina could not be with us today here on this scene, and I would like on behalf of jury and you, of all, to wish her new victories, new successes and to say that, of course, I’d like to necessarily see her on the Balshoi Theatre in various shows. Once again, congratulations, Alina!”.
Alina Cojocaru also won “Benoît de la Dance” for the Best Dance Ballerina in 2004, and after six years, again in Moscow, was designated the ”Ballerina of the decade”.
This year she was awarded for the role of Julie in the play'' Liliom'' put on stage of Ballet Neumayer by director John Hamburg, on the music of French composer Michel Legrand.
For the famous author of music from the film'' Umbrellas of Cherbourg'', this was the first experience of ballet music.
However, Michel Legrand also received “Benoît de la Dance”, for best composer, in competition is with former Beatles Paul McCartney, who composed the music for a performance of Ballet in New York.
Choreography award went to Lar Lubowitz, famous American choreographer and the French choreographer Pierre Lacotte received “Benoît de la Dance” for the lifetime achievement.
Benoît Awards are often compared with Oscars, but, unlike the latter, their jury changes every year, with one exception: for 20 years, the jury president is the chairman Yuri Grigorovici, artistic director of the “Balshoi” Theatre, one of the living legends of ballet, lucid, energetic and full of spirit, in his 85 years.
The award itself is a metal statue depicting a pair of dancers, designed by the French sculptor Igor Ustinov.
Jubilee Edition of the Award “Benoît de la Dance” ended last night on the “Balshoi” Theatre scene with an exceptional gala of winners of this year and previous years.
Translated by Alexandra-Diana Mircea
MTTLC, Bucharest University
