Photo: unknwown / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Vaslav Nijinsky was a ballet dancer, choreographer and diarist, born on March 12, 1889 in Kyiv, Kievan Rus'. Vaslav Nijinsky died on April 8, 1950 at the age of 61. Listed accolades include Commander of the French Order of Academic Palms.
My Take
Nijinsky occupies a almost mythic place for me. Widely regarded as the greatest male dancer of the early twentieth century, he partnered with Diaghilev's Ballets Russes to create works like L'apres-midi d'un faune and Le Sacre du Printemps, whose 1913 premiere reportedly sparked a riot. The idea of a body that seemed to defy gravity still gives me chills. Yet what moves me most is the tragedy beneath the genius: his descent into mental illness cut his career brutally short. He reminds me that the brightest talents often cast the deepest shadows, a Kyiv-born artist who gave everything to his art.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Vaslav Nijinsky
- Name (Japanese)
- ヴァーツラフ・ニジンスキー
- Reading
- ゔぁーつらふ・にじんすきー
- Born
- March 12, 1889 – April 8, 1950
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Pisces / Ox
- Origin
- Kyiv, Kievan Rus'
- Occupation
- ballet dancer / choreographer / dancer / diarist / ballet master
2. Background
Awards & achievements
- Commander of the French Order of Academic Palms
3. Links
4. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-21
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Vaslav Nijinsky born?
Born March 12, 1889.
When did Vaslav Nijinsky die?
Died April 8, 1950, aged 61.
Where was Vaslav Nijinsky from?
Vaslav Nijinsky was from Kyiv, Kievan Rus'.
What did Vaslav Nijinsky do?
Vaslav Nijinsky worked as ballet dancer, choreographer, dancer, diarist, ballet master.
Ballet dancer — see all → · Choreographer — see all → · More people from Kievan Rus' →