Serge Lifar

Serge Lifar – The Prince of Modern Dance and the Spirit of French Ballet

Serge Lifar was born on April 15, 1905 in Kiev, then part of the Russian Empire, into a Ukrainian family with cultural concerns. His passion for dance emerged early, and his destiny would merge with that of European ballet in the most spectacular way possible.

Arriving in Paris as a teenager, Lifar was discovered by the legendary impresario Sergei Diaghilev, founder of the famous Ballets Russes. Under his tutelage, Lifar was formed not only as a dancer, but also as a thinker of movement, cultivating a refined and modern artistic vision.

After the death of his mentor, he was invited to lead the ballet troupe of the Paris Opera, where, for over 25 years, he redefined classical ballet, infusing it with expressive force, modern lines and a poetic theatricality. During this period, he created innovative performances, supported young dancers and made a decisive contribution to the revival of French ballet in the 20th century.

Lifar was not only an outstanding performer, but also a prolific choreographer, author, teacher and reformer of choreographic language. Among his best-known works are the ballets "Icare", "Suite en Blanc" and "Les Mirages", in which the dancer's body is transformed into an instrument of visual poetry.

Although sometimes controversial for his closeness to the authorities during the Nazi occupation, Lifar maintained his influence on French dance until the end of his life, on December 15, 1986. His legacy continues to inspire contemporary dancers through elegance, rigor, and artistic vision.