The people with initiative spirit are those who move things on in a society. “Created in Moldova” is the new title of an IPN campaign about people who distinguished themselves in 2018 through different accomplishments, creations, technologies or actions.
Ballet dancer and teacher Maxim Clefos, who is from Leova, during 16 years has conquered spectators on stages in Europe. He started to practice ballet when he was nine, at his mother’s suggestion. Step by step, ballet for became a profession that is well-paid abroad. Now he lives in Lithuania where he teaches ballet and devotes his time to the education of the young generation.
Up to the age of 16, Maxim studied at the National Choreography College of Chisinau and then continued his studies at the Washington School of Ballet on a scholarship. “I made a video of me dancing and sent it to the U.S. Many people do so. Later, those in charge choose they persons they like,” said the young man. The change of the learning environment at an early age formed his character and made him be independent.
After studying in the United States, he worked in Denmark and then in Switzerland, Spain, Portugal and France. He remembers his first main part was in the ballet “Coppélia” at the Teatro Real in Madrid. He also fulfilled his dream of playing the role of prince Siegfried in “Swan Lake”. It happened in Portugal, where he lived for about five years. After that ballet, the local press called him “the prince of Leova”.
He decided to leave Moldova because the people of culture, the dancers have fewer opportunities here. Abroad the ballet is well-paid and the ballet dancers are in demand, but the competition between them is severe. “The auditions can bring together, for example, 200 girls and 100 boys and only four persons are chosen out of 200-300. The competition is rather stiff,” said Maxim Clefos.
He noted he always feels when the public is satisfied with what they see on the stage due to the duration of applause. “If they don’t like, the people stand up and leave, but the public is usually very welcoming. Now that I’m a teacher, I also form part of the public and see people’s reactions better”.
He devotes all his free time to training, except for one day of the week. “You must be active all the time and be physically fit as a ballet can be followed by another one in three-four days and you should permanently do something new. The work is uninterrupted”.
He travels to Moldova two times a year. He visits his parents and grandparents. He hasn’t visited the National Opera House for a long period of time. “I don’t know much about our theater. I only know that the repertoire here remains the same during many years,” stated the young man. A year ago, Maxim Clefos gave a masterclass for young dancers from Chisinau at a summer school. He saw potential, but regrets that many will not manage to realize it. “The career of artist is too short for performing the same ballets all the time. You should permanently do something new so as to keep the person interested,” sated Maxim Clefos.
Sabina Rebeja, IPN
