RUSSIAN ÉMIGRÉS IN THE PRODUCTION OF THE BALLET “IN THE MORAVA VALLEY” IN OCCUPIED BELGRADE

Abstract

This article examines the role of first-wave Russian émigrés in the production of S. Nastasijevic's ballet “In the Morava Valley”. Its premiere took place at the National Theatre in Belgrade in January 1942. The choreographer © Джорджевич А., 2025 114 Джорджевич А. Участие русских эмигрантов в постановке балета «В долинe Моравы»… was Anatoly Zhukovsky, a leading choreographer at the Belgrade National Theatre. By the time of the ballet's production, Zhukovsky not only had extensive experience in classical dance but also had a wealth of knowledge about Serbian folk dance, acquired during his travels across the country. The ballet also featured Russian ballerinas and dancers from among Russian émigrés. The ballet “In the Morava Valley”, based on Serbian history, is the only domestic ballet production staged during World War II in occupied Belgrade. This national ballet performance ran for two seasons at the Belgrade theater before being removed from the repertoire by the Germans, who deemed it national propaganda