Putin congratulated Svetlana Zakharova on her birthday

Vladimir Putin has congratulated ballerina Svetlana Zakharova on her 45th birthday and noted that with her inspired work she has brilliantly continued the traditions of the famed Russian ballet.

"Your bright, unforgettable stage images created at the world's leading theatre venues have become a true standard of skill and impeccable artistic taste," the telegram published on the Kremlin website reads. The head of state stressed that the most profound recognition deserves significant public, educational and mentoring activities, to which Zakharova always pays great attention. In conclusion, Putin wished the artiste success, health and all the best.

Russian ballerina, People's Artist of Russia Svetlana Zakharova was born on 10 June 1979 in Lutsk (Ukrainian SSR). From 1996 to 2003 she was a soloist with the Mariinsky Theatre. Since 2003 she has been a soloist with the Bolshoi Theatre.