"Anyone Can Relate to the Prince in 'Swan Lake' Who Seeks Freedom from Constraints"

Ballerino Daniil Simkin's First Full-Length Performance in Korea

"Prince Siegfried is a character who breaks free from constraints to find his true self. Anyone living in a repressive environment and dreaming of freedom in today's world can relate to him."

World-renowned ballerino Daniil Simkin described his role as Prince Siegfried in this way during a press conference for "Swan Lake" held on the 8th at the Universal Art Center in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. Prince Siegfried is a character who, after reaching adulthood and facing pressure from his mother to choose a marriage partner, meets Princess Odette, who is under a devil's curse, and pledges his love to her.

The Seoul Arts Center and Universal Ballet Company will present "Swan Lake" as a co-produced performance at the Opera Theater of the Seoul Arts Center from July 19 to July 27. Simkin will perform with Universal Ballet Company principal dancer Hong Hyanggi on July 19 and July 23.

Simkin is a world-class dancer who has performed with the Vienna State Ballet in Austria, American Ballet Theatre (ABT) in the United States, and Staatsballett Berlin in Germany. He was born in Russia and grew up in Germany. Both of his parents were ballet dancers, so he naturally took to the stage from a young age.

"I first performed on stage when I was five years old. I felt great joy in being able to convey my true feelings to the audience. I think the stage is a special place where many people can share magical moments together."

World-renowned ballerino Daniil Simkin is taking a commemorative photo after finishing a press conference held on the 8th at the Universal Art Center in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.
Photo by Lyeowon Kim, courtesy of Universal Ballet Company (c)

Simkin learned ballet from his parents, but said they never forced him into it. "Both my mother and father left home at the age of ten to enter ballet school. So they never demanded ballet from me as strongly as that."

He also said that as he entered his twenties, he realized that art could serve the role of religion. "I grew up in a non-religious household. In my twenties, I realized that art can replace spirituality. I believe art is sacred."

Simkin has visited Korea several times. In 2004, he came to Korea with his father, Dmitrij Simkin, and the two performed together on stage in a moving father-son performance. He said, "Until now, I have only performed in gala shows in Korea, but this time it is a full-length production, so I am very much looking forward to it."

He also expressed his affection for Korea, saying, "Korea is a beautiful and very friendly country." "I think Korea is a country strong in software. As a ballerino, I travel the world and perform on many stages, and I encounter elements related to Korea wherever I go."

He also showed respect for Korean dancers. "Korean dancers generally impress me as being very well-educated. I believe the recent success of Korean dancers in competitions is also due to the strength of their education. Above all, their incredible passion is their greatest asset."

Simkin, who has won numerous international competitions since his teenage years, is also famous for his outstanding technical skills. In particular, his signature move is the triple 540-degree spin he performed in "Don Quixote." He said, "Don Quixote is the work I have performed the most, but my favorite piece is 'Giselle,' where I have to portray a character with much greater emotional depth."

Simkin also said that "Swan Lake" is not a work that requires technical display. "Swan Lake is actually a piece where you have to restrain your technique. You need to dance with dignity and portray the character of Prince Siegfried well."