An interesting article in The Scotsman about the state of the arts in Russia and the ways in which different organisations are adjusting to the commercial world. At the Mariinsky (still called The Kirov for overseas tours), Gergiev receives much praise for what he is doing to keep the traditions alive. However, I have to say that I was shocked at the acceptance of this dangerous practise - <P>'And pandering to tourists means they are allowed to snap away with their flash bulbs during performances, to the annoyance of the dancers.'<P>As with so much in the new Russia, there are clear disadvantages as well as advantages - <P>"The dancers are worse off now than under Communism," says Vaganova director Altynai Asylmuratova. "In the old system, the state would pay for an apartment, and food was cheap. Now you are on your own. The foreign tours are coming to the rescue."<P> <A HREF="http://www.arts.scotsman.com/cfm/theatre/headlines_specific.cfm?rankuniqueid=89" TARGET=_blank>http://www.arts.scotsman.com/cfm/theatre/headlines_specific.cfm?rankuniqueid=89</A> <BR>

Nureyev had a very succinct way of putting it: "In Russia we had money and no freedom, in the West we have freedom and no money." That was his comparison of communism and capitalism and the arts.<P>It would be interesting to know how many dancers would truly want to go back to communism and the Soviet Union. Now at least they can travel abroad and join other companies. Things are never perfect - and never will be. <P>