A ballerina poses with a militiaman while waiting her turn during the Mariinsky Ballet's exclusive outdoor performance on Palace square for St. Petersburg's 350th anniversary celebration.
A ballerina poses with a militiaman while waiting her turn during the...READ ON
A ballerina poses with a militiaman while waiting her turn during the Mariinsky Ballet's exclusive outdoor performance on Palace square for St. Petersburg's 350th anniversary celebration.
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Crowds line Nevsky Prospect to watch a special parade to honor St. Petersburg 350th anniversary.
Crowds line Nevsky Prospect to watch a special parade to honor St....READ ON
Crowds line Nevsky Prospect to watch a special parade to honor St. Petersburg 350th anniversary.
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A festive crowd jams Nevsky Prospect to view the 350th anniversary parade.
A festive crowd jams Nevsky Prospect to view the 350th anniversary parade.
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Neighborhoods from throughout the city created their own costumes and sets for the parade.
Neighborhoods from throughout the city created their own costumes and sets for the parade.
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Crowds watch the procession of Icons which was part of ten days of activities to celebrate St. Petersburg's 350th anniversary.
Crowds watch the procession of Icons which was part of ten days of...READ ON
Crowds watch the procession of Icons which was part of ten days of activities to celebrate St. Petersburg's 350th anniversary.
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The Procession of Icons passes one of St. Petersburg's many statues.
The Procession of Icons passes one of St. Petersburg's many statues.
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Police attempt to prevent a crowd of women from breaking through to touch a famous icon as it is marched through St. Petersburg during the city's 350th anniversary celebrations. The icon was being taken to St. Isaac's church.
Police attempt to prevent a crowd of women from breaking through to touch...READ ON
Police attempt to prevent a crowd of women from breaking through to touch a famous icon as it is marched through St. Petersburg during the city's 350th anniversary celebrations. The icon was being taken to St. Isaac's church.
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Crowds of people try to kiss the hand of a priest from St. Isaac's church after the procession of icons.
Crowds of people try to kiss the hand of a priest from St. Isaac's church...READ ON
Crowds of people try to kiss the hand of a priest from St. Isaac's church after the procession of icons.
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Exhausted band members wait at a bus stop after marching all day along Nevsky Prospect as part of St. Petersburg's 350th anniversary celebrations.
Exhausted band members wait at a bus stop after marching all day along...READ ON
Exhausted band members wait at a bus stop after marching all day along Nevsky Prospect as part of St. Petersburg's 350th anniversary celebrations.
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Members of the Mariinsky Ballet shed their warm-ups to dance on a cold evening in Palace Square as part of St. Petersburg's 350th annual celebration. They performed selections from Cinderella, Swan Lake, and other ballet classics. The free performance is part of the 350th anniversary celebrations of St. Petersburg.
Members of the Mariinsky Ballet shed their warm-ups to dance on a cold...READ ON
Members of the Mariinsky Ballet shed their warm-ups to dance on a cold evening in Palace Square as part of St. Petersburg's 350th annual celebration. They performed selections from Cinderella, Swan Lake, and other ballet classics. The free performance is part of the 350th anniversary celebrations of St. Petersburg.
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At 10:30pm there is still daylight as the crowd on Palace Square watch the Mariinsky Ballet perform.
At 10:30pm there is still daylight as the crowd on Palace Square watch...READ ON
At 10:30pm there is still daylight as the crowd on Palace Square watch the Mariinsky Ballet perform.
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Over a million people jammed the streets of St. Petersburg after watching a light show over the Neva River as part of the city's 350th anniversary celebrations. The subways had already closed, so the crowd walked home, including many who lived in the suburbs.
Over a million people jammed the streets of St. Petersburg after watching...READ ON
Over a million people jammed the streets of St. Petersburg after watching a light show over the Neva River as part of the city's 350th anniversary celebrations. The subways had already closed, so the crowd walked home, including many who lived in the suburbs.
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At the underground nightclub, Malokoe (which means milk), St. Petersburg youth dance to the music of the Ska band, Eastern Standard Time, from Washington, DC.
At the underground nightclub, Malokoe (which means milk), St. Petersburg...READ ON
At the underground nightclub, Malokoe (which means milk), St. Petersburg youth dance to the music of the Ska band, Eastern Standard Time, from Washington, DC.
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Revelers head home early in the morning after an evening of celebrations to honor St. Petersburg's 350th anniversary.
Revelers head home early in the morning after an evening of celebrations...READ ON
Revelers head home early in the morning after an evening of celebrations to honor St. Petersburg's 350th anniversary.
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A two-hour performance represents years of training at Russia's famed Vaganova Ballet academy in St. Petersburg. Only three girls and six boys from this graduating class were taken by the Kirov/Mariinski Ballet.
A two-hour performance represents years of training at Russia's famed...READ ON
A two-hour performance represents years of training at Russia's famed Vaganova Ballet academy in St. Petersburg. Only three girls and six boys from this graduating class were taken by the Kirov/Mariinski Ballet.
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Members of the Vaganova Academy prepare for their graduation performance at the Marrinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg.
Members of the Vaganova Academy prepare for their graduation performance...READ ON
Members of the Vaganova Academy prepare for their graduation performance at the Marrinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg.
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Students typically work 10-12 hours a day, six days a week, and range from age of 10 to 18-years-old.
Students typically work 10-12 hours a day, six days a week, and range...READ ON
Students typically work 10-12 hours a day, six days a week, and range from age of 10 to 18-years-old.
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The academy has 300 students and competition for admittance is rigorous.
The academy has 300 students and competition for admittance is rigorous.
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The Marrinsky Theatre opened in 1860, it became the preeminent music theatre of late 19th century Russia, where many of the stage masterpieces of Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, and Rimsky-Korsakov received their premieres.
The Marrinsky Theatre opened in 1860, it became the preeminent music...READ ON
The Marrinsky Theatre opened in 1860, it became the preeminent music theatre of late 19th century Russia, where many of the stage masterpieces of Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, and Rimsky-Korsakov received their premieres.
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The most ambitious piece on the graduation program was "Chopiniana," a "composition in one act" to music by Chopin that was first performed at the Mariinski in 1908.
The most ambitious piece on the graduation program was "Chopiniana," a...READ ON
The most ambitious piece on the graduation program was "Chopiniana," a "composition in one act" to music by Chopin that was first performed at the Mariinski in 1908.
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Every student spends thousands of hours at the barre, repeating the basic classical movements. They take classes in character dancing, duets, acting and -- the one new addition -- "modern."
Every student spends thousands of hours at the barre, repeating the basic...READ ON
Every student spends thousands of hours at the barre, repeating the basic classical movements. They take classes in character dancing, duets, acting and -- the one new addition -- "modern."
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Only three girls and six boys from this year's graduating class were taken by the main company of the Kirov/Mariinksi Ballet.
Only three girls and six boys from this year's graduating class were...READ ON
Only three girls and six boys from this year's graduating class were taken by the main company of the Kirov/Mariinksi Ballet.
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Students stand in the shadow of the school's famous graduates, including Vaslav Niijinksy, Anna Pavlova, George Balanchine, Rudolf Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov.
Students stand in the shadow of the school's famous graduates, including...READ ON
Students stand in the shadow of the school's famous graduates, including Vaslav Niijinksy, Anna Pavlova, George Balanchine, Rudolf Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov.
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An excited dancer swoops up a ballerina after the end of their performance.
An excited dancer swoops up a ballerina after the end of their performance.
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Students Varya Vasnetsyova, left, and Yelena Siyakova pose for a picture after the performance.
Students Varya Vasnetsyova, left, and Yelena Siyakova pose for a picture...READ ON
Students Varya Vasnetsyova, left, and Yelena Siyakova pose for a picture after the performance.