Leading ballet soloist of the Hvorostovsky Krasnoyarsk Opera and Ballet Theatre Yekaterina Bulgutova won the Soul of Dance 2017 award of the magazine "Ballet" in the nomination "Star".

This award is traditionally handed out to Russian cultural figures for their notable achievements in the development of the country's choreographic art.

Over the years, the award has been given to Olga Lepeshinskaya, Marina Semyonova, Yuri Grigorovich, Maya Plisetskaya, Vladimir Vasiliev, Nikolay Tsiskaridze, Svetlana Zakharova, Diana Vishnyova and many others.

Established by the magazine "Ballet" and the Ministry of Culture of Russia 24 years ago, the Soul of Dance Award keeps on being the only national award, handed out annually for achievements in the development of national choreography.

Along with other winners of the Soul of Dance, Yekaterina Bulgutova took part in the award ceremony gala concert. She performed the song "Awakening" to the music of Sergei Rachmaninoff together with her constant partner on the scene Yuri Kudryavtsev (who is also the winner of this prestigious award), in the choreography by Artistic Director of the Krasnoyarsk Opera and Ballet Theatre, Honoured Artist of Russia Sergei Bobrov.

Photos by Igor Zakharkin