Having been part of ballet makes one a good ballet storyteller. This is in fact the case of Svetoslav Nikolov-Tchappy, a former ballet dancer who has turned to photography. Ballet from Within is the title of his exhibition arranged at the Art Place Interpred Gallery in Sofia. Gentleness and passion, longing and refinement, an ecstatic flight on stage, but also fatigue that clearly shows backstage… All this inhabits his works revealing an insider look into ballet. Is the art of ballet a rewarding theme for photography?

„This is grace and spirituality conveyed by a professional ballet dancer who knows how to capture the right moments. What we see in his photographs is a feast for the eye”, gallerist Valentina Dimitrova told Radio Bulgaria. “Viewers absolutely enjoy his pieces. I can see their admiration. Some of the most truthful moments captured by him include a few backstage photographs. This is ballet from within. This is rare with photographers of ballet art. And above all, Thappy has created his photographs driven by his great love for ballet.”

Back in childhood Svetoslav Nikolov-Tchappy started taking pictures with his father's camera. Later in life ballet taught him all about clear shapes and lines. All this shows in his masterly photos created during ballet shows and rehearsals. Currently Svetoslav Nikolov has joined the tour of the National Opera & Ballet in Sofia that started in Slovenia to go on in Germany and Japan.

English Daniela Konstantinova