Ms. Nina Ananiashvili is is hailed universally as one of the world’s greatest prime ballerinas.

She began her career with the Bolshoi Theatre in 1981 and became one of its most acclaimed soloists. She was the first Soviet dancer to appear as a guest performer with the New York City Ballet. She is from the Republic of Georgia.

In 2003, she received the Medal of Honor from Georgia, which is its highest order. Also appointed as Artistic Director of the State Ballet of Georgia, in recent years she has led its international tours as she she  continues to perform with the State Ballet of Georgia and to make guest appearances with other companies.

She will be performing three ballets by the acclaimed choreographer, Alexei Ratmansky, at George Washington’s Lisner Auditorium on Nov. 6. Recently, she shared some stories about the President of the Republic of Georgia, her role at the United Nations and, of course, ballet with us.

What is the President of the Republic of Georgia like? I see you are godmother to his son, is that right?
“President of Georgia is a very interesting, bright and energetic personality, who has done many good things in a very short period of time to put our country on its feet as an independent state despite of all the tragedies our country has undergone in the past. Yes, I am his son’s godmother.”

What is the hardest ballet to do and why?
“I love all big classical ballets I have danced and they all are hard, besides technique there is the role you have play.”

What is something not many people know about you?
“I have lot of such things.”

Since 2006, Ms. Ananiashvili, you have acted as an United Nations National Goodwill Ambassador for Millennium Development Goals. What does that mean and what have you accomplished in that role?
“This is very important, you have possibility for charity, possibility to help people and I am always happy when I am able to take care of children especially.”

For a newbie to ballet, what do you recommend for someone to watch?
“One should start with classical ballet by all means, because classical ballets develops a taste, for children there are lots of very beautiful fairy tale ballets like “Nutcracker,” “Don Quixote,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Swan Lake,” “Giselle, ”and so on.”

Lastly who is your favorite composer to dance to and why?
“I love almost all composers, Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Prokofiev and many others.”
 

• Buy tickets to see her perform Nov. 6
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• ;;feature=related%20%20">See her American Ballet Theatre farewell curtain call (June 27, 2009)
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