Alia Al Neyadi, the first Emirati ballet dancer, revealed that the idea of ​​retiring is not far from her thinking, noting that she faced many difficulties and criticisms, but she managed to overcome it and continue her career, considering that ballet dancing had an impact in various aspects of her life, adding that «sector The performing arts are witnessing a great development in the Emirates. ”

Al-Neyadi said in her interview with "Emirates Today": "The ballet left its mark in all its life and others in all its aspects, but at the same time it helped her to get to know herself better, and know what is appropriate for her health and what is harmful to her." Considering that maintaining her fitness is a difficult challenge that she faces, given her beginning at an early age, and her time was not focused on the types of food she is eating, or living a healthy lifestyle, but after her career progressed, she had to be disciplined, committed, and focused on her goal to become a professional ballerina.

Retirement is out of the question

Despite the progress it has made on the professional level in the recent period, the idea of ​​retirement is not far from the thinking of Al-Nadi, according to what I mentioned, explaining: “I previously thought about retiring and focusing on the next stage of my personal life, then I got busy at work, but this idea Always on my mind. Of course, this stage differs from one dancer to another, while some retire at the age of 30, and others continue to the age of 40 or 50, which is commendable, given that ballet dancing represents a unique physical challenge, and it is not easy for anyone to endure, In my opinion, the dancers who continue to dance to this age are true heroes. ”

Challenges

Al-Neyadi, who started dancing since her childhood in the ballet training center owned by her mother, who is a retired ballerina dancer, continued, saying: “Her career in the ballet world was not without difficulties and challenges, the most prominent of which is social criticism, but she was able to overcome it and convert the criticism she received into a means To enhance her self-confidence and her ability to cope with stress, she focused on highlighting the splendor of ballet performances and his ability to bring together people from different cultural and social backgrounds, to present wonderful paintings entitled Harmony. There were also difficulties of another kind, such as having to sometimes train until late hours, as well as the challenges associated with traveling outside the country to participate in festivals or international competitions ».

She added, "Of course I faced great challenges at the beginning, especially as I came under the spotlight in the media at a young age, when I was just ten years old. At that point, everyone encouraged me to be a little girl, until I reached the age of 14, when everyone began to question the utility of what I am presenting, and to ask about the value of this message for Arab and Emirati women in particular. However, I adhered to my love of ballet, and the assertion that this love is not intended to raise the sensibilities of anyone ».

Al-Neyadi continued: “I have always assured everyone that my attachment to ballet is the result of my love for his message, his attire and his music, and for the opportunity he gives me to express my sentiments and feelings, and he encouraged me to continue the great support that I received from family and friends, who stood by my side in difficult times.”

She also considered her participation in a show with the Ukrainian Donetsk Theater Company, one of the most beautiful moments of her life, indicating that she was lucky to stand alongside many well-known artists, such as Ivan Vasilyev.

Arabic ballet

Al Neyadi, who works as coordinator of the performing arts programs in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain at the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, considered that providing a ballet show with Arab design and production is not excluded, as performing and dance arts are not exclusive to one people or one country, explaining that “the performing arts sector is witnessing an evolution A lot in the Emirates, and that the public in the Emirates has a great interest in ballet shows, especially those offered by the most famous teams and exhibitors. ”She pointed out that as the first Emirati ballerina she finds that it is her duty to encourage various groups to get acquainted with the global ballet heritage, and to follow up on new performances, whether The same Modern or classic.

She pointed to the hospitality with which the audience met the show of "Modance", which was recently presented within the activities of the ninth edition of the Abu Dhabi classical music season, with the participation of the international ballet star Svetlana Zakharova, and the stars of the Bolshoi Theater, which is their first concert in the UAE and the Gulf region, and has been Choosing this show, given its special importance, as it combines the worlds of fashion and ballet, as the Chanel Creative Studio team worked on designing 80 different outfits specifically for the show.

Ballet message

Alia Al Neyadi explained that «her work in the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, supports her vision, and encourages her to introduce the message of high ballet dance to the widest possible segment, by attracting the most important national and international stars, and working with them to promote this art, whether by participating on the stage, or Contact directly with the exhibitors, get to know their message and see their ballet. ”

• The public in the Emirates is becoming more open to the arts.

Ballet dancing is a unique physical challenge.