Everyone has heard about the famous ballet of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. In fact, it is one of the most iconic and popular in the history of ballet. Moreover, it is one of the works that Russians around the world are proud of today, although, frankly, if they had known about Tchaikovsky’s sexual inclinations, the poor man would not have tried to compose anything. At least not because of Siberian frosts.

The fact is that “Swan Lake” is the national pride of Russia, and the performances are always sold out. A big problem that gives Russians goosebumps is when the ballet is televised. Russians are dying from such a cultural program. I will explain right away, but before that I need to say a few words about Tchaikovsky’s famous work and why it should not be attributed to the modern version of the ballet.

Few people know, but it all started as a game. Somewhere in the early 70s of the 19th century, Petro Ilyich and his family were in Ukraine. There he created a small ballet for his grandchildren Yuri and Ana Davydov. If you’re a parent, you know how it is, it must have sapped their energy somehow.

However, no one knows exactly where the author’s inspiration came from. Either from Slavic or German fairy tales. Tchaikovsky said nothing about the origin of the idea. Yes, given that the main characters are called Siegfried and Odette, not Serhiy and Tatyana, I would lean towards the second option. However, a little-known fact is that Tchaikovsky’s work has very little in common with the modern form of ballet. Only the story is the same. And the reality is that behind the final version, today, there are many creators.

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But how “Swan Lake” became an iconic ballet and, above all, why it scared the Russians, I suggest you find out by watching the new episode of the “Strange Stories and Characters” podcast series. This is a story in which there is no shortage of famous choreographers, as well as such figures as Russian secretaries of state. A story with hidden symbolism that takes you through at least a century of history.

Plot: Adrian Nicolae | Sound design: Ovidiu Popica

Graphics: original image – Elliott Franks / Eyevine / Profimedia (edited by Adi Iacob)