Olga Smirnova, who joined Dutch National Ballet earlier this year as a principal dancer, has been voted “Dancer of the Year 2022” by the readers of Dance Europe.
From a list of twelve nominees from prominent ballet companies around the world including American Ballet Theatre, Paris Opera Ballet, Staatsballett Berlin, The Royal Ballet, and The Stuttgart Ballet, Olga Smirnova came out the winner.
The shortlist of dancers who impressed them during the 2021-2022 ballet season was curated by editors from Dance Europe and other international publications. Smirnova was nominated by dance critic Valentina Bonelli.
Olga Smirnova: Dancer of the Year 2022
“It was a great pleasure to interview Olga Smirnova for Dance Europe as she is a ballerina I have admired for many years. It has been a great privilege to follow her career and to photograph her in the Bolshoi’s London seasons, dancing with Les Ballets de Monte Carlo and, in recent months, in her performances with Dutch National Ballet. Not only is she an exquisite dancer, she has a strong personality and should be applauded for having the courage to speak out against her country.” Emma Kauldhar, Editor/Photographer, Dance Europe
Featured Photo of Olga Smirnova in Rachel Beaujean’s Raymonda for Dutch National Ballet. Photo by Altin Kaftira.
