Tuesday, Mar 19 2024
All Cities
Choose Your City
'In the West sometimes they think that Siberia is snow and nothing else. But there is such life and energy here!'
0

Wonder girl Karina Chikitova, 11, wins place at world’s northernmost professional ballet school

By 0 and 0 and 0
30 November 2021

0

Karina Chikitova, 11, in Yakutsk. Picture: The Siberian Times 

Little Karina Chikitova’s story in summer 2014 captured the hearts of people around the globe. 

Aged four years and eight months she followed her father into the woods of remote Olyokminsky district in southwestern Yakutia.

He didn’t realise the toddler left the home village of Olom to follow him, the grandmother who was supposed to look after Karina believed the two left together - by the moment they realised she was missing Karina was hopelessly lost in one of the most challenging areas on the planet. 

It was sheer luck Karina’s loyal puppy Naida, then five months old, went with the girl. The dog slept by her side in the woods, warming her during the cold August nights, as dozens of people were up day and night trying to find Karina.

Naida eventually walked back to the village, giving the rescuers hope Karina was still alive. 

Wonder girl Karina Chikitova, 11, wins place at world’s northernmost professional ballet school


Wonder girl Karina Chikitova, 11, wins place at world’s northernmost professional ballet school


Wonder girl Karina Chikitova, 11, wins place at world’s northernmost professional ballet school


Wonder girl Karina Chikitova, 11, wins place at world’s northernmost professional ballet school


Wonder girl Karina Chikitova, 11, wins place at world’s northernmost professional ballet school


Wonder girl Karina Chikitova, 11, wins place at world’s northernmost professional ballet school
The moment Karina, 4, was found in the woods of Olyokminsky district, and half a year later with her loyal pet Naida. Pictures: The Siberian Times 

She was found weak, dehydrated, exhausted, covered in mosquito bites and cuts from walking in the woods, but alive, on day 12 of the search.

Pictures of tiny Karina and the story of her survival flew around the world. 

It is now getting harder and harder to recognise that little girl in statuesque Karina, who will celebrate her twelfth birthday at the end of December, as she proudly stands on stage of her new home, the respected Yakut Ballet School Named After Aksenia and Natalia Poselskikh, in Yakutsk.

A week ago Karina got her student ID, confirming she will continue rigorous training on the way to her dream to become a ballet artist.

Wonder girl Karina Chikitova, 11, wins place at world’s northernmost professional ballet school


Wonder girl Karina Chikitova, 11, wins place at world’s northernmost professional ballet school


Wonder girl Karina Chikitova, 11, wins place at world’s northernmost professional ballet school


Wonder girl Karina Chikitova, 11, wins place at world’s northernmost professional ballet school
Karina Chikitova receives student ID at the Yakutsk Ballet School Named After Aksenia and Natalia Poselskikh. Pictures: Albina Cherepanova


Yakutsk-based businesswoman Albina Cherepanova, 61, who inspired Karina to start ballet studies in Yakutsk, and supported her, proudly told The Siberian Times:

‘This is the start of a new chapter in Karina’s life, last year she was selected to continue studies at the Ballet School named after Aksenia and Natalia Poselskikh. 

‘This was an amazing achievement, and a tough call, too, as nearly half of Karina’s class were not chosen to continue their studies. 

‘The way this school works is that its primary years (Y1 to Y4) combine ballet and general education, and only those with the gift for ballet stay on after the fourth year. 

‘I am very pleased Karina’s hard work and dedication paid off, and allowed her to continue. Now she is to go through years filled with long days of rigorous training and performances, and a lot more personal teaching.’

Wonder girl Karina Chikitova, 11, wins place at world’s northernmost professional ballet school

Karina Chikitova, 11, with her mentor and supporter Albina Cherepanova, 61. Picture: Albina Cherepanova
This is the world’s northernmost professional ballet school, and the only professional ballet school in the vast territory of Yakutia. It was established 26 years ago, is renowned in Russia and abroad, and attracts foreign students, too - right now it has two female ballet dancers from Japan. 

Karina was the first female pupil to join from her native Olyokminsky district. Teachers say she is doing really well, describing her as ‘a wonderful personality, very inquisitive, happy and down-to-earth’.

‘We see each other a lot less these days because of Covid-19 restrictions, but when we meet and chat - usually we visit our favourite Art Museum in Yakutsk, or walk outdoors - she often talks about her mother getting education and starting her own business. She also plans her life in a way that would allow her to help mother. 

‘‘If mum gets to study to become a chef, and opens her own cafe, my brother and I can help’, she told me one day. 'She gets to see her family twice a year, on summer and winter breaks, because spring and autumn holidays are too short to get to her area of Yakutia, it takes too long to go’, Albina Cherepanova said. 

Wonder girl Karina Chikitova, 11, wins place at world’s northernmost professional ballet school
Karina Chikitova, 11, in Yakutsk. Picture: Albina Cherepanova
‘She is wise beyond her years. And dreamy, too! Because of course she would dream about dancing at the Bolshoi theatre', Albina said. 

‘I am hoping we’d be able to travel to Moscow once her winter exams are over. I would love to show her Red Square, and of course we’ll be over to Bolshoi Theatre at the first instance. 

‘Karina would really like to watch The Nutcracker.’

Karina Chikitova filmed on her first year at the ballet school in Yakutsk in 2018. Video: The Siberian Times 

Comments (7)

Karina,
:)*
~*❤️*❤️*❤️*❤️*❤️*~
:)*
Marika
Marika, Ottawa,Canada
06/10/2023 06:57
1
1
Very very Sweet, Adorable , Lovely ... and Beautiful. Hora !
Mike Manner, US
24/02/2023 02:45
3
2
What a wonderful story !
Burtescu Cristian, Bucuresti - Romania
09/02/2022 04:21
9
0
Dear karina; If you can wish it, you can dream it...and if you can dream it you can become it.

And a personal quote from Madiba ( Nelson Mandela); Winners are Dreamers, who never give up on their Dreams...

Congratulations to you Karina for your incredible courage, tenacity and hard work, together with all your talent. May you and your wonderful mentor Mrs Cherepanova reach the prestigious red carpet stage of the Bolshoi Ballet in your new life journey...

You have come a long way from your nightmare ordeal in the woods and are now a beautiful, charismatic and courageous young lady with the talent to succeed. May providence continue to bless you and your beloved, loyal companion Naida...
Anonymous, Switzerland
09/12/2021 00:07
14
0
At the edge of crying from the first story rescue.At the edge of crying again.She`s so cute!I wish her the Best!
James, Alaska
08/12/2021 04:38
11
0
It's hard to believe Karina's successful rescue was nearly 8 years ago when the world at large heard about her & her loyal pet dog Naida was by her side, but it is & thank God for that. And look at her now a beautiful young girl who will probably take the world by storm as a successful ballet dancer & maybe even a successful Bolshoi ballet dancer. Wish her all best wishes for that...but please don't push her too hard & let her enjoy being a child as well. Hope she can get home to her family for Christmas & New Year for holidays & her presents. Well done to her mentor & sponsor Albina whom we can all see is doing a great job & blessings to her.


PS. Well done to "Siberian Times" for keeping us up to date, it’s a great happy story to go up against all the bad ones of the present day/s.


Stay safe everyone.
Jaker, Dundalk
05/12/2021 12:30
20
0
Karina is now a nice young Lady .To have news is always happiness because remember her story is so moving...Thanks again to the rescurers and now to Mrs Cherepanova
Karina has talent and wise . Respect to her and her family in theirs beautiful area Yakuta.
Jocelyne, kiss from FRANCE
01/12/2021 14:15
25
0
1

Add your comment

We welcome a healthy debate, but do not accept offensive or abusive comments. Please also read 'Siberian Times' Privacy Policy

Name

Town/Country

Add your comments

The views expressed in the comments above are those of our readers. 'Siberian Times' reserves the right to pre-moderate some comments.

Control code*

Type the code

* obligatory


Features

Business

The Bank of Russia official exchange rates of foreign currencies
EUR100.24USD91.98GBP117.19Other...