www.womanthismonth.com February 2023 65 a call from France – the International Dance Council of UNESCO.” “I had been selected to become a member of the council and so the International Dance Council President, Prof. Dr. Alkis Raftis, came to Qatar for a few days to meet me and I have been an active member ever since,” she adds. In December 2022, the ballerina represented Bahrain’s delegation at the Annual International Dance Congress at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris. “More than 40 countries were represented at the congress, and we discussed issues and options for improving the future of dance across the world,” she states. Working in Bahrain has opened a new world for Marija. “When a three-year-old child tells me that they love dance, I am always interested to know the reason. Some of them just want to wear tutu ballerina dresses, while some of them love it because they feel happy when they dance,” she says. “Ballet is good for physical health and exercising helps kids develop good habits. In addition, it makes them mentally stronger and disciplined. Most importantly, it makes the kids happy and provides them with a safe place and additional professional opportunities in the future,” she adds. Bahrain has several dance schools, and locals and residents alike have been known to be quite talented in art and dance, but Marija believes there is room for improvement. “Unfortunately, there is no professional dance or ballet school, but with any luck that will change in future. Hopefully, there is the possibility of establishing a national dance school in the future too - that is my dream here. Young Bahraini talents deserve that, and so it is one of my biggest ambitions to establish Bahrain’s National Dance or Ballet Company,” she says. The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), in collaboration with Common Ground International, recently announced that the Imperial Russian Ballet, will be coming to Bahrain in March – an event that Marija believes will have a positive impact on the dance scene in the country. “I am really excited to have the opportunity to see Imperial Russian Ballet in Bahrain, as it is one of the leading tour ballet companies in Moscow, directed by the previous Bolshoi Ballet Soloist, Gedeminas Taranda. I used to have ballet classes with them in Moscow and have had many of my colleagues who have worked or are working there. It is a wonderful opportunity for my students, and for the whole country to host such a world level ballet performance. Hopefully, it will motivate kids to love ballet even more!” she says with enthusiasm. As for the future, Marija says: “My hopes are that one day we will have a national professional ballet school in Bahrain aside from a dance or ballet company. I also hope that we will host an International Dance Congress for dance professionals around the world someday. Most of all, my biggest hope is that the artistic and dance scene in Bahrain will flourish further, and I hope to contribute to the growth of this mindset in the country.” To keep up with Marija, follow @ballerinabahrain on Instagram. PEOPLE | interview
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