Between Swans & Soldiers

Nina Ananiashvili’s Dancers Illuminate Humanity on Tbilisi’s Storied Stage

Tbilisi effortlessly merges tradition and cool. It’s chaotic, charming and dynamic. And like the spirit of Georgian people, it’s unapologetic, warm and enigmatic.

Nestled amongst trees on the busy Rustaveli Avenue in the heart of Georgia’s capital stands the Imperial Theatre of the Georgian National Opera and Ballet – home to the State Ballet of Georgia.

Nina Ananiashvili has been named one of the greatest ballerina’s of all time. From 1981 to 2004, she was the prima ballerina of the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow and she was the first dancer from the former USSR to be invited to the New York City Ballet in 1988 where she danced with Andris Liepa. An icon in the ballet world Ananiashvili danced to sold out audiences for decades and on request of the former president of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, she returned to her beloved home country in 2004 to develop a successful State Ballet of Georgia as the artistic director.

Sitting in the grand theatre and seeing the dancers in beautiful costumes rehearse with masterful stage lighting and a world class live orchestra it is almost impossible to imagine the difficult start Ananiashvili had. In 2004 Georgia was still reeling from the collapse of the Soviet Union. When Ananiashvili stepped into her role as artistic director there was no electricity or heating in the theatre. Outside the now bustling Rustaveli avenue was empty with little cars and no busses to provide transport for the dancers. But Ananiashvili has never shied away from a challenge.

In the first three years they showcased 27 ballets including Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, Giselle and brought sought after ballets by Frederick Ashton, George Balanchine, Jiří Kylián to the region for the first time.

Fast-forward to June 2025 and the opening night of the of the sixth Tbilisi International Ballet Festival night serves as a celebration of tradition and provides spiritual nourishment to the audience. It becomes apparent that the history of the country and ballet are connected. You realize the depth of Georgian culture, history and traditions – especially how deeply the roots of ballet tradition run in Georgia. The participation of stars from Europe and American and the massive influx of audience members from foreign countries is a testament to the success of the festival and the company.