Mikhail baryshnikov

I cannot belong to a nonprofit organization because when you receive grants, you have to make such great compromises with your artistic plans.

My life has been immensely enriched by gay mentors, colleagues and friends, and any discrimination and persecution of gay people is unacceptable.

Although I don't gamble in life - I've never played poker - I do gamble on stage. I gamble with myself: 'Can I do this?'

The essence of all art is to have pleasure in giving pleasure.

Every ballet, whether or not successful artistically or with the public, has given me something important.

Dancing is my obsession. My life.

People dance at any age.

I am not the first straight dancer or the last.

I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself.

I adored my mother, and I will always have extraordinary memories about her and remember her, and she opened the doors for me to appreciate arts.