"I wanted to learn in Russia" The deepening conflict of young people chasing dreams May 16th, 20:51

A woman who poses on the stage she longs for.

She is a Japanese high school student who went to Russia alone to become a professional and studied ballet at a prestigious school that is said to be the only one in the world.

Due to Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, he was forced to return home in March.

But ...

"There is something that can only be learned in Russia ."

The more time she returned to Japan, the more she felt about her and how she could open up her own future. I am suffering from my worries.

(Osaka Broadcasting Station reporter Hikari Kitamori)

I want to be a ballet dancer in Russia

Tobata Miyu.

She is 16 years old.

She returned from Russia, where she studied abroad, two months ago and is now at her parents' home in Funabashi, Chiba.

Mr. Tobata studied abroad because he had a dream of "I want to dance on the stage of authentic Russia".

She started classical ballet when she was two years old.

At first, my goal was to wear beautiful costumes and pointe shoes and stand on the stage.

When I was in elementary school, I had the opportunity to receive guidance from a teacher at the "Russian National Waganova Ballet Academy" in Japan, and the praise I received there made me want to study in Russia.

Russia is special in the ballet world.

Many ballet music and choreography danced around the world were born in Russia.

It is said that Russia premiered that famous "Swan Lake".

Even in Russia, the "National Waganova Ballet Academy" is a prestigious dancer who has produced world-class dancers.

This ballet school has established a systematic teaching method to acquire the basics of ballet according to the stage of physical growth, and is said to be unique in the world.

Diana Vishneva, who has danced the leading role in ballet companies around the world, Mikhail Baryshnikov, who was also active in the movie world, and Seina Hidaka, who dances the leading role in the Japanese K-ballet company, also learned at the Russian National Waganova Ballet Academy. Just me.

Mr. Tobata aimed to enter this school in order to study ballet in a world-class environment.

Then, while paying attention to sleep and nutrition, he repeated lessons and passed the audition.

Only three people, including Mr. Tobata, passed the final exam.

Shinyuki Tobata

"I've always admired watching videos of the Vaganova Ballet Academy on YouTube and TV. The first time I passed my arm through the Vaganova Leotard, I was full of joy. The way I build my muscles is completely different, and I feel like a professional. I was worried if I could keep up, but I felt like trying my best for my future dreams. "

Dreamy ballet days

Mr. Tobata, who passed the audition, started living in St. Petersburg, where the ballet school is located, last September.

Mr. Tobata, who is longing for ballet girls all over the world, wears a leotard, which is also the uniform of the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet.

She was thrilled that she was one step closer to her dream.

The curriculum is organized from morning till night on the 6th of the week except Sunday, and it is exactly the days of ballet pickling.

In addition to classical ballet, it is an environment where you can learn professionally to become a professional, such as classes to learn acting expressions.

In the dormitory, dietary management to maintain body shape was also thorough.

Teachers who have passed the strict national examination will teach in class.

Mr. Tobata happened to receive guidance in Japan and entered the class taught by the teacher who inspired him to study abroad.

Students from all over Europe and the United States, as well as from Russia, were highly skilled and sometimes wept when they compared themselves with their surroundings.

Even so, we had a fulfilling day while encouraging each other.

Study abroad life changed completely by the military invasion

However, Russia's military invasion of Ukraine changed Tobata's study abroad life.

The day after the invasion began, I received a message from my mother who was worried about seeing the news in Japan.

As countries sanctioned Russia, there was concern that credit cards could no longer be used.

Mr. Tobata paid his living expenses by credit card.

If you can't use the card, you won't be able to live.

I got a remittance from Japan in a hurry and secured cash.

In addition, the beautiful city of museums and theaters was filled with police officers.

Police officers and police cars heavily armed with bulletproof vests surrounded those who opposed the military invasion.

Students from the United States as well as European countries such as England, Spain and Belgium decided to return home one after another.

Shinyu Tobata

"I was worried and scared when I saw it up close. The city changed, international students started to return home, and I started thinking that I might have to return to Japan. rice field"

It was difficult to connect to SNS.

Mr. Tobata decided to return to Japan because even the means of contact with his family in Japan could be cut off.

Returning to Japan Feelings and regrets

Immediately after returning to Japan, Mr. Tobata responded to the interview.

When I visited my home, most of the living room space was reserved for ballet lessons.

I can see that they are making efforts at home.

The large suitcase I brought back from Russia was packed with leotards and pointe shoes I wore at ballet school.

There was also a student ID card and a signature given by the dancer I admired.

Mr. Tobata calmly and calmly talked about what happened before returning to Japan.

Still, when she asked about having to stop studying abroad, she was full of emotions.

With tears in her eyes, her regrets were bleeding.

Shinyui Tobata

"I've been doing it all the time, ballet is like a part of me. I have a dream of becoming a professional dancer, and learning at Vaganova was a special thing, so even after I decided to go home. In my heart, I didn't want to go home again and again. It's a difficult school to advance to, so I'm worried that it might affect my graduation. I was very disappointed. "

He said he couldn't make an immediate decision, even though he knew that he had to return home.

You may not be able to return to Russia once you return to Japan.

The road to dreams may be cut off.

I don't want to let go of the chance I seized.

After the lesson, I talked with my mother in Japan every night and decided to cry.

And the day of returning home.

With the thought of "I'll definitely be back", we all took a picture together in front of the ballet school.

Look at the Russian news in Japan ...

After returning to Japan, Mr. Tobata saw the news in Japan and was shocked by the serious situation of the military invasion that was not mentioned in Russia.

She is also hurt by the heartfelt words to the Russians.

I have mixed feelings when I think of my classmates who worked hard and the Russian teachers who taught me sometimes kindly and sometimes rigorously.

Now, in addition to the local ballet class I used to attend, I also go to a class in Tokyo for about an hour and a half from my home.

People around me said, "I should study in another country."

However, he says that there is no other place in the world where you can learn under established teaching methods such as the Vaganova Academy of Russian Sciences.

After returning to Japan, Mr. Tobata strongly feels that there are things that can only be learned in Russia.

Trouble of young people who cannot study abroad

Mr. Tobata is not the only one in a situation that could have a major impact on the future.

There are many young people who have been recognized for their future potential through competitions and are qualified to study abroad at a difficult Russian ballet school, but have not realized it.

Yumi Hariyama, the representative of the Japan International Ballet Association, teaches the eggs of professional dancers in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture.

In Mr. Hariyama's classroom, there are six students who cannot study abroad in the same way.

Mr. Hariyama has created opportunities for young people to study abroad, such as by inviting ballet leaders from overseas, mainly in Russia.

Mr. Tobata, who was interviewed this time, was one of the people who seized the opportunity there.

Every summer, we invite Russian dancers and teachers from the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet, but it is difficult for young people to have the opportunity to come into contact with authentic Russian ballet.

I myself have experience studying abroad in Russia, and I am keenly aware of the importance of going abroad.

For young people who want to become professional dancers, their late teens are an important time to study at home and receive an audition to join the group.

I am deeply saddened by the fact that the dreams of young people are being affected.

Yumi Hariyama

"Why did this happen because everyone was unhappy? It had nothing to do with ballet, and something that no one had expected has happened. Some people may get out of gear because of this, and their dreams may be closed because the future is created by daily accumulation. Children are really straight and delicate, so this time Some children are hurt by this and wonder if it's okay to continue ballet. I hope everyone will take a positive view of things and hope that their future will not be affected. "

Conflict deepening between dreams

I (reporter) myself, who interviewed me, was learning ballet when I was a student.

For young people who want to become professional ballet dancers, Russian ballet schools are unique and you can understand how limited opportunities you can learn there.

For that reason, I am in pain because I am in a situation where I may be deprived of that opportunity.

Ballet lovers have had a feeling of respect and admiration for Russia, which has produced many wonderful works and produced famous dancers.

I was one of them.

However, the sight of Russia's military invasion is disturbing.

In Ukraine, many citizens, including children, have been sacrificed and displaced from the towns in which they lived.

No matter what claim you make, it is never forgiven.

Amid concerns about the further prolongation of the military invasion, Mr. Tobata's conflict is deepening between his dream and the dream he has been pursuing since he was a child.

NHK Osaka Reporter

Hikari Kitamori

Joined in 2015

Mainly in charge of incident coverage Ballet

favorite program

"Romeo and Juliet" when I was a

student