Discovery Gallery with Coswick. IRINA EROMKINA

A lily with a steel rod.

She breaks down the stereotypes, she knows the price of success, and she learned to live wisely.

We can surely call her the star of Belarussian ballet. She is the National Belarussian artist, prima ballerina of the Grand Theater of Opera and Ballet, laureate of the National Theater Award, a winner of many competitions, and she has claimed many national awards. A successful career with a rich ballet portfolio of many key leads, including Odette/Odile, Carmen, Isolde, Aurora, Celyphid, Phrygia, Rogneda. This is undoubtedly a dream for any ballerina! And behind all this fulfilling career, there is a unique personal life for a ballerina: Irina is a mother of three – a twenty-year-old Maksim, an eight-year-old Kseniya, and a four-year-old Katya. This is extremely rare for a professional ballet dancer because having even one child usually puts an end to such a career. How did she make it from the corps de ballet to a soloist and a happy mother of three children? Beyond anything else, Irina reflects that her most significant achievement in life are her three children.

I am So Far from Being Fragile

Elegant, fragile, graceful, weightless – this is how we see her. She is a ballerina, after all!

“This is just an image, an illusion. I am so far from being fragile or helpless. I am such a strong person. Life made me strong. A long time ago, I would get upset or get emotional. I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to handle the three kids. But it turned out that I can. There is metaphor: a lily on a steel rod. I think this is what a ballerina is; at least this is what I am. I can stand up for myself, yet I have a wonderful group of people at the theatre who will always be there for me.

“Mommy, am I beautiful?”

“We all have those moments in childhood that we remember for the rest of our lives. I remember when I asked my mom: “Mommy, am I beautiful?” “You are pretty,” – she responded. But I really wanted to hear that I was beautiful! My mom’s words are still with me to this day. With my children, I give them all the complements in the world; I want them to remember my love.

Being a mom is the toughest than a ballerina

“I think being a mom is so much tougher than a ballerina. In ballet, there are specific rules that you have to follow. But in motherhood, each day is a new experience, a new lesson. If I lose my career, I will find something else, but with your children, there is no room for error. Every word, every act in one way or another, reflects on them; it influences their personality and their worldview. I understand how important I am to my children, so I simply give them all my love.

My favorite occupation is my profession

“I relax when I spend time with my family. My favourite occupation is my profession. But at home I simply enjoy being present, I can dedicate myself to the warmth and comfort of my home, spend time with my children. I think this brings joy to everyone.”

Are you ready for your dream?

“When I was younger, I have always wanted to jump with a parachute. But somehow, I was never able to do it. And just recently, my friend approached and said: “I arranged for a plane, and we will be jumping on such a date.” I was shocked! And I knew that I couldn’t because of children, because of fear. It was so unexpected; someone offers you your dream – here you go, take it! – and I am not ready for it…

This is how she is. Strong but fragile, sincere and purposeful, she is not blinded by the stars and glory, but a caring mother who is not afraid to dream like her last trip to India. “Indian people have a different philosophy. They are happy with the little they have. I’ve also learned to be happy with small things, like the moment we have here and now.