Russian ballet star Vladimir Shklyarov tragically passed away over the weekend after falling from a 5th-floor balcony. He was 39 years old.
Videos by Suggest
Shklyarov’s fall occurred in St. Petersburg, Russia on Saturday, Nov. 16, TMZ reports. The Mariinsky Theatre, where the famed dancer performed, confirmed the news, describing his death as a huge loss for the entire institution. He had joined the theatre in 2003.
“Our condolences to the artist’s family, loved ones, friends, and all the numerous admirers of his work and talent … he forever inscribed his name in the history of world ballet,” The Mariinsky Theatre stated.
Although local authorities have launched an investigation into the death of Vladimir Shklyarov, it is believed that the fall was accidental.
Irina Baranovskaya stated that Shklyarov’s death was a “stupid, unbearable accident.” Per The Guardian, She wrote that he had “went out onto the balcony to get some air and smoke” and then “lost his balance” on the “very narrow balcony.”
His death also came just two days before he was scheduled to have spinal surgery. The Mariinsky Theatre and Russian media stated he had been on “serious painkillers” due to an injury.
Vladimir Shklyarov is survived by his wife, fellow Mariinsky Theatre dancer Maria Shirinkina, and his two children.
Friends and Dance Institutions Pay Tribute to Vladimir Shklyarov
Following his unexpected death, friends and dance institutions publicly paid tribute to Vladimir Shklyarov.
Mariinsky dancer, Diana Vishneva paid tribute to Shklyarov by declaring, “This tragedy brings only tears and sadnesss … This is the tragedy for our theatre, our common grief, feeling of emptiness. You were the favourite partner … My beautiful Romeo, my brave Prince in Cinderella.”
American Ballet Theater, where Vladimir Shklyarov was a guest performer in 2014 and 2015, also paid tribute to him. “Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and all who were touched by his brilliance. Rest in peace, Vladimir. Your light will continue to shine through the beauty you brought to this world.”
However, many commenters reacted to Shklyarov’s passing by asking if he was critical of the Russian government. This is due to many critics of Putin and other government officials dying suddenly, mainly from falling off balconies.
“It seems many people fall from windows and balconies in Russia. Wonder if he was critical of Putin?” one Instagram user wrote the comment section of the American Ballet Theatre’s post.
Another person wrote, “They have some dangerous balconies in Russia… Was he in politics as well…”
The Guardian noted that Shklyarov had condemned Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In a since-deleted 2022 Instagram post, he wrote he was opposed of “all kinds of military actions.”
“It is impossible to watch everything that is happening today without tears,” Shklyarov wrote at the time.