For many, Vaganova means ballet. In actual fact, a ‘vaganova’ is a type of semi-sweet bun-like pastry treat that is no longer made with any regularity. Comparatively, the regularity with which people refer to Vaganova’s Basic Principles of Classical Ballet is astounding.

Here is one of Vaganova’s less conspicuous quotes:

Ballet is next to Godliness, because ballet is about technique and technique is about cleanliness and cleanliness is next to Godliness.

-Agrippina Vaganova

‘Good try, dear’