Nikolai Tsiskaridze

People’s Artist of the Russian Federation Nikolai Tsiskaridze became the new guest of Yulia Menshova’s YouTube show. She talked about her friendship with Maxim Galkin*, the former prime minister of the Bolshoi Ballet, the porn scandal and her life after February 24. Tsiskaridze explained why he never wanted to emigrate and how everything that happens today will “contribute to our unification”. We have collected the brightest quotes.

About the work in the show “Tonight”

I worked on Kultura channel for many years and talked about ballet. I could not have imagined that I would be invited to host this show on Channel One. “Tonight” is a landmark program for the country in prime time on one of the main channels. For me to trust this? I swear it wasn’t a dream.

The terrible struggle for this place on the show “Tonight” does not stop. I heard which people are who. I was so surprised. It never occurred to me to call and say, “Take me.”

Before Tsiskaridze, Maxim Galkin hosted the show “Tonight”. After Galkin spoke out against the Russian special op, advertising contracts with him were terminated, his concerts in Russia were canceled, and he was removed from the position of the host of the show Tonight on Channel One, later recognized as a foreign agent. The first issue aired on May 7, 2022, with Nikolai Tsiskaridze as the host of the program.

About the start of the special operation

I came to study at the Vaganova Academy (in 2013 Nikolai Tsiskaridze was appointed rector of the Vaganova Russian Ballet Academy in St. Petersburg – Ed.), everyone was depressed, usually everyone warms up in ballet, but there is no one here, everyone sit idly by. And you have to play comedy and joke all the time. As a result, the performance went very well, many thanked us at the exit from the theater. I understood that this is the meaning of the profession: do your job honestly, the Lord has given you the opportunity to bring joy to people – so do it. When someone is going through tough times, you have to give them a chance to breathe. I give myself oxygen when I go on stage!

In September, Nikolai Tsiskaridze said he would not condemn Russia for a military special operation in Ukraine. On the contrary, contrary to the position of many artists, he resolutely advocates the unity of the “Russian world” and the post-Soviet countries. Nikolai was convinced of the successful outcome of the special operation and the reconciliation of the peoples. The artist urges everyone to believe in the best and not exacerbate the situation in Ukraine.

About Maxim Galkin*

First of all, I really like Max. I wrote to him at the time, no matter whose opinion it was, I hope you understand that I am always in your life, I love and respect you. And we have been friends for many years. second moment. When there was a terrible constant persecution against me in 2011-2013, Maxim was one of those people who openly wrote small notes in support of me twice in one of the newspapers. This action is very important to me. And I will never forget him in my life. Thirdly, since I decided on this … Yulia, you understand, not by the film crew (if I had been asked to be the host instead of Maxim Galkin. – Noted.), but if I had been asked by someone else, I would have taken it. different, maybe be and react. I got a call from the editor – a girl we’ve been friends with for years. And he said it was the request of the film crew. I told Max very honestly.

In 2013, Tsiskaridze had a loud conflict with the Bolshoi Theater: two contracts with him were not renewed. Tsiskaridze’s relationship with Bolshoi director Anatoly Iksanov escalated during the reconstruction of the theater. Tsiskaridze then accused the leadership of gross violations, wrong policies and humiliation of artists. The first attempt to remove Tsiskaridze from the post of teacher-repeater in the theater was made in 2011. The situation escalated (soaked with acid) after the attempted assassination of the artistic director of the great Sergei Filin. Later, some media outlets accused Tsiskaridze of organizing the attack. At that moment, in the Bolshoi, the artist was twice scolded for communicating with the media without the knowledge of the press service of the theater.

About who you stopped talking to

Some people stopped communicating with me even after the annexation of Crimea. I am surprised that I give up on people so easily. February 24 resonated in some way in the life of every person on the planet. I was preparing an exam for my class, I got up early, picked up the phone and saw messages from my close friend. Unpleasant things were written, I was very surprised because in almost 48 years of our life we ​​have never spoken to him about anything political. It hurts – no, it hurts – yes. I don’t think you should be angry. How can a person who is thousands of kilometers away evaluate what he does not know? We are drowning in false information. We live in a fragmented culture.

A very important choice – I never wanted to change the country and language. The most valuable thing for me is that I am a Russian artist. In the 1990s, when everyone fled Russia, I watched how the survivors were treated. Even if you’re the best, you’re an immigrant. Idont want this.

On recognition of many artists as foreign agents

I do not believe that public figures in Russia have an influence on the masses. What our neighbor tells us is more important than television. I don’t believe in enemies or friends. They have interests. We work for these interests today, but not tomorrow.

About stealing budgets

Today Russia spends 500 times more on culture than in the USSR. But where is it going? When I come to the theater and they say that this view is very expensive, I immediately understand how much money they get from there. We all know these names.

On the imminence of a nuclear disaster

I can not believe this. Only politicians can give orders. There is an economic redistribution in the world. I am not an expert, I have no right to comment on this subject. We simple subordinates do not understand anything: a directive will come – it will become clear to us that this is so. The necessity of today’s world to have a point of view on every issue is a violation of human rights. I don’t have to give my opinion.

About the contract porn scandal

It was ordered at the Bolshoi Theater: my head was attached to quite candid shots. First they gave false information about what kind of shooting it was, then they even made a video of it, confident that a wild scandal would come out of my students’ parents. The figures of the Bolshoi Theater tried, but could not provoke those to whom he was directed.

In January last year, hackers hacked Nikolai’s phone. A short time later, screenshots of an open correspondence appeared on the network, which allegedly the ballet soloist with Valentin Yudashkin. In the messages written on behalf of Tsiskaridze, it was written that he was waiting to meet the designer and also asked him to “dress”.

“They allegedly opened my phones and found inappropriate photos. It seems that after Dziuba, everyone believed so much that they could find something… clients and artists forget one thing, I’m a ballerina and I have very special legs – recognizable, very special body – recognizable! Almost everything is clear, “said the artist.

What’s good for us now

We have seen all the problems of our society, what have we not done all this time. We have come to the point where it can be said that travel is a privilege. I hope that everything that happens will contribute to our consolidation and make us look after each other.

* Recognized as a foreign agent in the Russian Federation