He has been working for success since the age of six, he has had countless unforgettable performances, yet the Hungarian State Opera House is Gergő Ármin Balázsi's favorite place. Exclusive interview.

The artist, who in the 33-year history of the award was the first Hungarian to win the category of male dancer Benois de la Danse, considered the Oscar of the ballet world, gave an exclusive interview to Kossuth Radio.

Created by the International Dance Federation, the Benois de la Danse award is awarded by a jury of world stars. "The president of the jury is one of the most famous ballerinas, Russian ballet dancer Svetlana Zakharova. The fact that I was able to meet him live and talk to him is a fantastic experience," began the artist of the Hungarian National Ballet on the Kossuth Radio program regarding the award, which was founded in 1991 and since then there has been neither a Hungarian candidate nor awardee, until now.

Now, however, there are two, since in addition to Ármin Balázs Gergő, Tatyjana Melnyik was also nominated for the award.

The award is given each year for the performance of the previous season. Gergő Ármin Balázsi was nominated for his performance in the productions presented under the title of the Pygmalion effect.

The award ceremony was held on June 25 in Moscow, in one of the world's most famous opera houses, the Bolshoi, which is considered one of the shrines of ballet.

"I didn't expect to receive the recognition. I was sitting at the award ceremony and was already thinking about what and how I would dance in the second act when my name was called. It was an intoxicating experience, I hardly even remember what happened, what I said. Then when I had to dance, I came back down to earth because I really felt like I was in heaven."

- Ármin Balázsi Gergő recalled the award ceremony enriched by the dancing of the candidates in an exclusive interview given to the Kalendárium program of Kossuth Rádió.

The ballet artist is not leaning back yet, he feels that he has not yet reached the top. He wants to improve in many things, both technically and acting. He sees the awards as confirmation that he is on the right track. Of course, the recognition is a great happiness for him, but he continues to work hard all the same. In an interview with Kossuth Radio, he also revealed where he still wants to go with his performances.

“There are many such places in the world, from the Royal Ballet to the Paris Opera. However, the tip of my heart is the Hungarian State Opera House, which will always be a miracle for me, since I first entered it, I feel that way."

The entire conversation can be listened to again the Media Clicks page of the Kalendárium.

Featured image: MTI/Szilárd Koszticsák