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October 01, 2003

Anastasia's triumphant return

Thanks to either Tolstoy or Dostoevsky, I've always respected Russian women.

So, as you might guess, I was glad to see this tonight:

Thanks to Russia's Labor Ministry, ballerina Anastasia Volochkova may be back at the Bolshoi for an encore.

Labor officials on Tuesday ordered the Bolshoi Theater to reinstate Volochkova, who was fired two weeks ago amid allegations from other dancers that she was too heavy to lift.

The Labor Ministry ruled her dismissal violated labor law, saying she must be rehired by Oct. 6 and given back wages, said Andrei Pryanishnikov, a spokesman for Labor Minister Alexander Pochinok.

Bolshoi spokesman Katerina Novikova said it was too early to comment on how the Bolshoi would react to the decision. Pryanishnikov insisted the Bolshoi has no choice but to comply.

Volochkova, a stylish blonde who exudes movie-star glamour, was fired amid a contract dispute and claims by theater officials that they could not find partners to dance with her because she is too big.

The Russian press denigrated her with headlines such as "Not even bears could hold her" and discussed her ability as more suitable for pop-ballet performances than the graceful Russian tradition associated with greats such as Maya Plisetskaya and others.

Volochkova, who continues to draw in large crowds for performances outside the Bolshoi, has dismissed the allegations that she was too big and said her numerous partners had never complained. After her dismissal was announced, the dancer said that she weighs about 110 pounds and is 5-feet-6.

Posted by Mike at October 1, 2003 02:29 AM

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