Aivars Leimanis: Celebrating Five Decades of Latvian Ballet

On March 22, 2026, the Latvian National Opera will host a special event, “Aivars Leimanis: 50 Years on Stage,” honoring the distinguished choreographer, former ballet soloist and long-time artistic director, Aivars Leimanis. The concert will showcase his significant contributions to Latvian ballet over the past half-century.

A Career Spanning Performance and Leadership

Aivars Leimanis was born on July 3, 1958, in Riga, Latvia. He began his training at the Riga School of Choreography from 1968 to 1976. He then joined the Latvian National Opera’s Ballet Company as a soloist, where he performed leading roles in classic ballets such as The Nutcracker, Giselle, Don Quixote, and The Sleeping Beauty [1].

From 1989 to 1993, Leimanis danced with the Star Group of Vladimir Vasilyev and Yekaterina Maksimova, further honing his skills and artistry [2]. He continued his education in choreography at The Faculty of Ballet Masters of the Russian Academy of Theatre Arts (GITIS) from 1989 to 1995, earning a Master of Arts degree in 1995 [1].

Artistic Director and Choreographic Vision

In 1993, Aivars Leimanis transitioned into a leadership role, becoming the Artistic Director of the Latvian National Ballet Company, a position he continues to hold [1]. He has since choreographed and staged numerous ballets, including Francesca da Rimini, The Life, Fuete, Atlantis, La Bayadère, Le Corsaire, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Raymonda, Don Quixote, Coppélia, The Fountain of Bakhchisaray, Karlson Flies…, Antonija #Silmači, and La Esmeralda [1].

His production of Karlson Flies… received the Latvian Great Music Award and a special prize from Latvijas Gāze as Best Performance of the Year, while Antonija #Silmači was awarded the Latvian Dance Award in 2019 [1]. Leimanis was also recognized with the Helēnas Tangijevas – Birznieces Award in 2008 for outstanding achievements in ballet and the Players’ Night Award in 1999 for his choreography of Coppélia [1]. In 2003, he was awarded the Latvian Three-Star Order [2].

The Anniversary Concert

The March 22nd concert will feature excerpts from both classical works and Leimanis’s own productions, including scenes from The Fountain of Bakhchisarai, Coppélia, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Esmeralda, Don Quixote, as well as Karlson Flies… and Antonia #Silmači [3]. The program will also include video materials showcasing Leimanis’s stage presence and dance talent, alongside video greetings from international colleagues [3].

The concert will feature soloists and artists from the Latvian National Opera and Ballet, students from the Riga Ballet School, and the folk dance ensemble “Dzinatarinš” [3].