On 26 February 2016 Mrs Mitrofanova was present at a performance Don Quixote a ballet included in the Irina Kolesnikova Paris Season. This is traditionally an event which attracts wide public attention including that of Russian politicians and diplomats working abroad. Similarly, back in 2012 Aleksandr Orlov the Russian Federation’s ambassador in France was invited to the Irina Kolesnikova Paris Season and subsequently gave a dinner in the ballerina’s honour at his Paris residence. Again, in August 2015 Aleksandr Yakovenko the Russian ambassador in London saw a performance of Swan Lake which was part of Irina’s first London season and announced that the difficult political situation notwithstanding, Russian art was, as always, a link binding different countries together. In February 2016 the ballerina’s personal season took place in the French capital for the ninth time. During the five days of Irina’s season the performances were seen by eight thousand people. Uniquely moreover, the organizers did not spend a single euro on advertising, a fact which attests to Irina Kolesnikova’s esteem and huge standing in Paris and to the love which the Parisian public has for her.

On 26 February 2016 after one of the performances given during the ninth Irina Kolesnikova Paris Season, the Russian sculptor presented the ballerina with an image of her in the role of Odile in Swan Lake. It is well known that it is this particular role which critics and fans consider to be the calling card of Irina Kolesnikova’s art, where she brings to bear not only her matchless technique but her huge dramatic talent. The bronze sculpture of Irina-Odile is simultaneously replete with tenderness and expressiveness. The artist has also managed to convey the amazing suppleness intrinsic to Irina Kolesnikova.

Andrei Tyrtyshnikov is a graduate of the Surikov Moscow State Academy of Architecture and Art and is a member of the Russian Academy of Arts. He works as the chief expert in Russian cultural collaboration in Paris. The artist is the creator of many monumental works of art and his work can be seen not only in Russia but overseas as well. Indeed, one of his recent sculptures can be seen in Paris – in 2011 his bronze memorial bust of General Charles de Gaulle, an iconic figure in France of course, was installed in the Musée de l'Armée.

The Konstantin Tachkin Saint Petersburg Ballet Theatre’s Prima Ballerina is again issuing invitations to Paris for her personal season. The project which consists of a series of the best productions featuring the Russian ballerina will take place for the ninth time in the French capital.

Logically enough, as the role of Odette/Odile has long since been Irina’s calling card, the Irina Kolesnikova Season will begin with Swan Lake . In this ballet in particular her incomparable technique and the profundity and spirituality of her dancing has been recognized by the most fastidious critics on the planet. Swan Lake will be performed on consecutive days, on 24^th and 25^th February, at the Théâtre des Champs Elysées where it has now become a tradition for Irina Kolesnikova’s personal season to take place. On 26^th February the Parisian public will be able to see the ballet Don Quixote by Ludwig Minkus where Irina dazzles in the role of Kitri.

Basilio will be danced by Dmitry Akulinin who will be performing the role for the first time. Dmitry has worked as principle soloist for the Konstantin Tachkin Saint Petersburg Ballet Theatre since 2005. He will be Irina’s partner for all the performances.

On 27^th and 28^th February the audiences will be presented with an original piece made especially for the Konstantin Tachkin Ballet. It is called A Saint Petersburg Nutcracker danced to Tchaikovsky’s music. A team from Saint Petersburg has produced the ballet and has moved the action to the banks of the river Neva, their home city.

Irina Kolesnikova, Prima Ballerina of the Konstantin Tachkin Saint Petersburg Ballet Theatre is issuing invitations to her personal season in Paris. This will be the ninth time that the project will take place in the French capital. On 24^th and 25^th February Swan Lake will be performed at the Théâtre des Champs Elysées . Then the public will be able to see Don Quixote on 26^th February and A Saint Petersburg Nutcracker on 27^th and 28^th February.

The Théâtre des Champs Elysées management guarantees absolute security to the Saint Petersburg company and to the public for the season. Obviously after the events last autumn, special attention is being paid to places where mass cultural events are taking place. What is more, the Théâtre des Champs Elysées management, in trying to deal with the extra demand for tickets, has asked Irina Kolesnikova to add more performances and to begin the season earlier, but Kolesnikova has had to refuse because of the busy tour schedule: on 28^th February, immediately after the last show, the Prima and the company are heading for Tel Aviv. The Konstantin Tachkin Saint Petersburg Ballet Theatre is performing in Israel for the first time and the tour will finish on 9^th March.

The Israeli public has already shown great interest in the tour and the organizers have asked for 3 more performances to be added. SPBT will perform 12 shows in 9 days.