Founder of Turk ballet remembered

ANKARA - Anatolia News Agency

The founder of the Turkish ballet, Deme Ninette de Valois, was commemorated on Nov. 23 in Ankara on the 10th anniversary of her death.

A cinevision show featuring the life of de Valois and her contributions to Turkish ballet was screened at the event which included guests such as Culture and Tourism Ministry Undersecretary Özgür Özaslan, State Opera and Ballet General Director and General Art Director Rengim Gökmen and U.S. Ambassador to Ankara Francis Ricciardone, along with many foreign and Turkish guests.

Gökmen said that during the founding of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk saw ballet as an important cultural and social project. De Valois was partly responsible for introducing this art form to the country and subsequently founding Turkish ballet. She came to Turkey from England in 1948 and was instrumental in raising the quality of ballet in the country.

Following the speeches, those who contributed to Turkish ballet over the years were presented with plaques.

During the presentation, Özaslan said de Valois had made great achievements in the improvement of Turkish ballet while working under very difficult conditions