From English National Ballet to my letterbox

English National Ballet definitely knows what kind of letters I would appreciate receiving in my letterbox ;))

P.S. New production Lest We Forget (2-12 April 2014) at Barbican, London. Already booked.

Austrian ballerina of Russian-Armenian origin sacked for nude photo shoot

Photos appeared in the September issue of the Austrian men's fashion and lifestyle magazine WIENER. Reports say that Karina Sarkissova was previously warned over similar photos in Penthouse magazine.

VIENNA — The management of the Vienna State Opera and its ballet company says it has fired a ballerina for posing in the nude after she was warned not to do it again. The management of the prestigious institutions says solo dancer Karina Sarkissova was axed Aug. 23 after a series of provocative photos of her appeared in the September issue of the Austrian men's fashion and lifestyle magazine "Wiener." A statement Friday said she had already been reprimanded in May for nude shots that were taken in the opera house without permission and published in the June edition of "Penthouse."

News were reported by Tert.am, Utro.ru, Telegraph, AFP and other agencies too.

Karina Sarkissova considers this case discriminatory. WIENER magazine that published her photo shoot, posted a nude picture of Vienna ballet director Manuel Legris, that appeared on a photo book cover, and was not resulted in disciplinary actions.

You may access her website at http://sarkissova.com

I have to say, she looks stunning.

*pictures - by Moritz Schell für den WIENER / September 2010 (1, 2)
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UPDATE 17 October 2010:

“Late last week the state opera caved in to public pressure and agreed to reinstate Sarkissova in an apparent effort to avoid further embarrassment.”

For more details (based on The Sunday Times), as well as statements by Sarkissova and opera director, see comments section below.

The Sunday Times: Karina Sarkissova said her nude modelling was inspired by photos of Manuel Legris, above.