Valentin Yelizaryev quits Belarus ballet theater

Belarus' culture minister Uladzimir Matsvyachuk has accepted a resignation letter from Valentin Yelizaryev, the art director of the National Grand Opera and Ballet Theater, reports Belarus Partisan. The legendary Belarusian choreograph filed his resignation letter several days ago. On Monday, he is expected to hold a news conference.

His wife Margarita Izvorska also filed her resignation from the post of the art director of the opera theater. Her cause was followed by several leading soloists of the Belarusian ballet.

According to Belarus Partisan, Valentin Yelizaryev was promised that after the reconstruction and the unification of the opera and ballet theaters he would have been given a post of the director general of the National Grand Opera and Ballet Theater. The choreograph was even ready to refuse from the seat of ballet's art director to obtain his new post.

However, the government only offered Yelizaryev to keep his art director's position. He refused, because 36 years ago he started his career at the same position. Having failed to find understanding with the culture ministry, Yelizaryev filed his resignation letter.