Kyra and Tamara Nijinsky - Interviewed About Their Father, Vaslav Nijinsky

These are two fascinating interviews with the daughters of legendary Ballets Russes super star, Vaslav Nijinsky.
This first is an interview to camera with Kyra Nijinsky, with the interviewer being none other than and appropriately Dame Margot Fonteyn.
The second is a telephone interview with Tamara Nijinsky, conducted by the Los Angeles Times on 3rd November 1994. Here is the transcript of that second interview:
Q: What do you remember from the years you lived with your father?
A: Basically, I remember that he was a very, very quiet person. I just remember him sitting in an armchair by the mantelpiece, although when we were together he seemed to be always smiling like a delighted little boy and he was happy to see me. There was an understanding smile, although we never talked with words.
Q: He literally never spoke to you?
A: No, no, he didn't talk when I was with him. In the later years, he might have said something to my mother, but I didn't understand because it was in Russian (Tamara, whose first language is Hungarian, spoke only a little Russian) or he was so quiet. During World War II (when she lived apart from her father) my fiance and I went to visit him, and he loved sweets. Unfortunately, I inherited that. And we took, I think, three or four pieces of pastry, and he opened up (the parcel) and he practically inhaled them, two or three, he ate them with so much delight.
Q: Do you have a sense of how much dancing meant to him?
A: You and I, we come and go, and we take a breath and we do this and that, and we live this way. But for him, to express himself through dance was like breathing. It was as essential to his life and survival as breathing is to ours. When he got off the stage, he was like a vegetable.
Q: What motivated him to take up visual art?
A: I think he felt he needed to express himself. You know, certain drawings were done at a time when he was not able to dance because of (his internment in Budapest as a Russian during World War I), so he had an extreme need to express himself somehow.
Q: What's your opinion of Peter Ostwald's 1991 book (Carol Publishing Group), "Vaslav Nijinsky: A Leap into Madness"? (Ostwald, a professor of psychiatry at UC San Francisco, was the first to study hospital records and medical archives to analyze Nijinsky's mental state.)
A: It's the best book ever written about my father, first because it is based on medical records, and because Ostwald went (to hospitals) in person and looked into the medical records. And, he wrote the book with so much empathy. I helped him a little bit too.
Q: What did you discover from the book?
A: I am certain if my father was alive today (and had access to contemporary medical care), he could function with some medication and create choreography. Maybe he wouldn't have danced, but he would have choreographed.
Q: How did you cope with the sadness at your father's illness and mental decline?
A: I am convinced that, especially in the beginning of the sickness, he knew . . . that something was happening to him and he was struggling desperately not to become ill, so that's a sadness. But . . . I learned in life that there are things that happen that are beyond me and it doesn't do any good to cry about them. I can't change them.
Q: Some believe that Romola Nijinsky didn't seek the best care possible for your father and believe that she sought to gain financially from his fame. Where do you stand on this?
A: She was a brilliant woman in her own right and you have to give her credit because she watched over Vaslav for 30 years after he became sick. She could have stuck him in a state asylum and said "forget it". People say she lived from the name of Nijinsky, but she supported him in the best circumstances possible. Maybe the means weren't always right, but the goal was. She was so dedicated sincerely to supporting him and after he died she survived 28 years and she traveled, she gave lectures, she made exhibitions (about him). To a certain extent, she kept his name alive.
I hope you enjoy these two fascinating first-hand accounts of Vaslav Nijinsky!

[@LaProvinciale]

Nijinsky’s diary is a beautiful book. Something has changed in me since I first read it.

[@JohnRaymondHall]

very powerful - not an easy read

[@LaProvinciale]

No other book has shown me as much truth, no other book has given so much value to contradictions.

[@adrianravarour4010]

Kyra was delightful. Met her several times in California after she had seen me dance. (She said my dancing reminded her of Fokine.) Took critic Aimee Ts'ao to join in visiting with Kyra in San Francisco; stayed for hours- listening to her life story and seeing her paintings. (I had studied at the San Francisco Ballet School under Vilzak, Christensen and others; plus took a few classes under Schollar who was supportive.)

[@JohnRaymondHall]

lucky have had the opportunity to speak with her - i didn't know she painted - i'll look any works out - thanks

[@peggybeckwith3479]

My first teenage crush was on Nijinsky.

[@catherineblair5648]

This is both very interesting to me, but terrifying. I've never talked about this before, but my late father, David Blair,CBE, principal ballet dancer, with the Royal Ballet, for 24 years, with manic depression. I was about the same age, as Kyra Nijinsky, too, when this terrible ordeal started. It happened 5/6 years later, after Rudi defected, from the Kirov. It effected my whole life, and that off my non-identical twin, Diana, whom later on developed bi-polar, and schzophrenia, which is still on-going, and pure hell to cope with her. It destroyed my parents' marriage, to Maryon Lane, also principal ballerina to the RB, who became a "secret, demonic, demon", to both us children, and to my beautiful daddy. The chronic,profound pain, of growing up in a family of brilliant ballet dancers, who went mad, and privatetly sectioned, so the press, fans, etc was a massive burden to bear, and to ALWAYS, never mention, to anyone, not even my fathers' mother knew, my beloved granny. Tears are pouring down my face, I'm brokenhearted at the re-liveing these horrendous, never ending ordeals, of madness, due to ballet, that they both were born, and gifted to do. What a price to pay.

[@JohnRaymondHall]

dear Catherine yes, manic depression is a terrible illness and i suspect brought on by circumstances - like those at the RB after Nureyev's defection. and as a dancer and so public figure to have had to keep his illness hidden must have been terrible.

he was schizophrenic! but a genius.

[@robertm7071]

Dear Catherine, the endless permutations of tornent life inflicts us with is hard to cope with. As the Buddha said, "Life is suffering", but why? I think it is admirable of you to share your story. You have done well to survive - as have I with the particular burden I have been saddled with. All we can do is help each other out. I hope you have good friends who carry you through bad patches. My love to you. God bless you. Robert (formerly of London now Devon)

[@8angst8]

But, Catherine, your father was David Blair, and Kyra's/Tamara's father was THE Nijinsky. There's a big difference in what we, and history, actually care about.

[@philbenfell2984]

@@8angst8 that was a bit uncalled for

[@2Chua]

I think I deleted my own post. Don't know why I came across this just now. I remember seeing Kyra Nijinsky at the SF Opera House. We were ballet students but were terrified of her, she was small, and very "Russian" looking and we thought she was very, very old. Actually, she was about the same age I am now (which is pretty old darnit). Wish I had spoken to her! I had just read the Richard Buckle book on Nijinsky. What a strange, place, the theatre!

[@JohnRaymondHall]

yes, particularly as Nijinsky gave so much it seems really tragic that a little could not have been given back in his time of real and desperate need - very sad and disturning.

[@elvellarambles9151]

"Don't you think that it is sad that people remember your father for La Spectre de la Rose and not Rite of Spring?" Decades later, and I first hear of Nijinsky through Rite of Spring :)

[@JohnRaymondHall]

it's for his ballets like Rite of Spring that he had most influence on modern dance - for me too :)

[@paulprocopolis]

My first acquaintance with the name of Nijinsky was because of his involvement with 'The Rite of Spring'. I'm afraid to say that I didn't even know of his association with 'Le Spectre de la Rose' until very recently.

[@MilnaAlen]

I first learned of him through the memoir of Felix Yusupov. So I learned of all his ballets at once. I do remember Rite of Spring and The Afternoon of the Faun best, besides his life story. Yusupov doesn't talk much about Nijinsky unfortunately (just mentions borrowing one of his costumes for a costume ball). But he was close friends with Anna Pavlova, and apparently acquaintances with Diaghilev as a teen - he took a potrait of Yusupov to an exhibition in Paris. It kinda sounded like Diaghilev had a crush on him, tbh... He did own a statue of Nijinsky so I assume he was a fan. Nijinsky's quietness probably kept them from becoming friends, though.

[@peggybeckwith3479]

God bless the descendants of this amazing couple.

[@robertm7071]

Fascinating. I am not a fan of ballet but this interview and the subject - I love Russian culture - is a treasure Thank you.

[@JohnRaymondHall]

my pleasure - fascinating hearing someone talking about Nijinsky who knew and had contact with him

[@qualqui]

So this is the famous Vaslav Nijinsky, the man whose name identifys a dance academy here in Querétaro! Just barely taking notice of this great man and ballet dancer. Thanks John for sharing this excerpt from the interview with his daughter Kyra.

[@JohnRaymondHall]

hi Jo! yes, so interesting to hear his daughter talk about him. Tamara Karsavina has talked about the experience of dancing with him on film. and there's a tiny bit of film of Nijinsky walking in a street in Vienna in 1945 kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHnIdaejmMaJnbM&pbjreload=10

And the interviewer is...Margot Fonteyn! Nijinsky, a genius.

[@JohnRaymondHall]

aka Margot Fonteyn LOL

[@Playwright62]

Unbelievable! That's Fonteyn!

[@Stoclet]

This is very important!

[@JohnRaymondHall]

it is :)

[@JohnRaymondHall]

hi itisitsits yes, she makes her father seem so real to us today - the actual man can get lost in the legend.

[@nonenoneonenonenone]

There is a documentary about Kyra Nijinsky in San Francisco, When She Danced, or something like that. I wonder what they all lived on. I met Irina's daughter once, she was living in Arizona. The family has such strong resemblance. Not so typically Polish, I would think.

[@kristinmoreno9203]

How Amazing to hear and read these first-hand accounts of Nijinsky! Fascinating! Thank you for Sharing 🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

[@nonenoneonenonenone]

I can't help feeling a personal connection to everyone involved the Ballets Russes.

[@Annephelides]

Thank you for this post !!!

[@JohnRaymondHall]

hi Annephelides - glad you liked it too - i love that here is such a direct connection with Vaslav Nijinsky. pity the only footage we have of him is walking down a street in Vienna: Vaslav Nijinsky - Unique Footage

[@simaraft7373]

Fabulous. Thank you. One feels so much regret , as if it was all one's fault! As if we could all do something and we didn't.

[@normajidahmohamedlop5828]

Thank you so much for the video. It's warm heartening that Nijinsky has his daughter to talk about his achievement, no doubt it wasn't that much coming from her, would be great if anyone can suggest a link that l can go to to read more about this great dancer.

[@JohnRaymondHall]

yes, listening to Kyra Nijinsky talk about her father makes him more real - past legends can be so remote from us. 'Nureyev' by critic Clive Barnes is very good - i'll look out a link for it for you.

[@normajidahmohamedlop5828]

+Thank you very much.

[@JohnRaymondHall]

hearing his daughter chat about her father makes him more real for me - and the anguish of his not being mentally well is more palpable and heart-rending

[@annadavies9315]

Love for Nijinsk!

[@JohnRaymondHall]

yes! if only there was film of him dancing

[@cathm652]

Fantastic. I think this is Margot Fonteyn interviewing her.

It is.

[@JohnRaymondHall]

yes, it is, as i mentioned in the 'Notes' with this upload - it's from her documentary ''The Magic of Dance''

[@666thrashmaster]

oh god. not just a kick down the stairs, but a Nijinsky kick...

[@JohnRaymondHall]

and not just an ordinary kick!

[@tracypaxton1054]

No doubt he had incredibly strong legs.

[@peggybeckwith3479]

if a footprint remained and they saved and duplicated it, just think of the money they could have made .@@JohnRaymondHall

[@mellie4679]

I wonder what she thinks about sergei diaghilev

[@JohnRaymondHall]

that's an interesting question!

[@ThirzaLynetteClarke-ku9dq]

More from this amazing daughter please. Are there videos of her dancing. Amazing ballet history. Thanks

[@JohnRaymondHall]

there are photos of her made up as Vaslav Nijinsky in 'Le Spectre' by Cecil Beaton for 'Vanity Fair' 1935 - for a moment you think it is her father

[@casteretpollux]

Appreciation.

[@JohnRaymondHall]

thanks. and i felt one step away from Nijinsky

[@jodypalm303]

I have a Master's in psychology and can tell you that schizophrenia is more common in men than women, and comes on in their early 20s. Vaslav was 24 when it hit him. That age is pretty typical. A real shame! I don't think there were decent medications for the disease back then, so he didn't really get any treatment. Nowadays, there are medications that can allow a the sufferer to lead a pretty normal life.

[@pediatrapaola]

is strange how everyone feels regret as we could do something we didn't.

[@user-wn7sc8sr4h]

Похожа на своего знаменитого отца. Хорошая дочечка.

[@JohnRaymondHall]

да, она сделала фотосессию «Le Specter» с Сесилом Битоном для «Vanity Fair» 1935 года - и выглядела очень похожа на своего отца, который был целью съемки fineartamerica.com/featured/kyra-nijinsky-in-le-spectre-de-la-rose-cecil-beaton.html

[@xandrkenski9943]

she looks and sounds just like Dawn French

[@JohnRaymondHall]

never saw the connection but you are right!

[@francishuhghes5229]

Nijinsky should really have been remembered for "Lapre mi'di daune Faune", which was in fact not a ballet as such, but it completely broke away from the conventional dancing of the time, it was also very controversial because of the way that it ended, & caused a scandal in high society, around all of Europe.

[@JohnRaymondHall]

i agree - it showed the way to modern dance. the scandal gave the work a high profile

[@lindaarnold121]

Do you have any footage of Ludmila Shollar or Anatole Vilzak either from Diaghilev era or after?

[@JohnRaymondHall]

sadly i don't have any footage - this is an interesting article about Ludmilla Schollar in Australia michellepotter.org/articles/ludmilla-schollar-in-australia

[@elenagitlin]

Какой сильный у неё акцент

[@2020Bookworm]

I read that he has a head injury in childhood.

[@JohnRaymondHall]

that's interesting - i hadn't heard that

[@mirkkasalo5089]

Vaslav Nijinsky tells it in his diary and also it is told by e.g. Romola and Peter Ostwald. It is claimed that Vaslav's brother Stanislaw had fallen from window and had head damidge and that is why he become insane as child. I have thaught that it is also possible that him had been also abused when their family was touring dancers in circuses etc. and it was one cause for he having mental disorder. Many who have been abused have divided personalities and have nowadays therapy, but some of them have also put to mental hospitals. I guess that ballet roles could have helped Vaslav in these symptoms but ballet have also been cause of them because of abuse of young dancer(s).

[@ludmilakotovski1837]

@@mirkkasalo5089 If a person develops schizophrenia, it’s not caused by physical abuse. There is an excess of dopamine which causes unusual thinking. True, any discipline which causes stress can contribute to the onset of schizophrenia, however, ballet dancing would have kept Nijinsky “sane” to a certain degree. When he was not dancing, the “unusual” thinking would take over and his condition would worsen. My mother suffered from diphtheria when she was a teenager in Russia during the 1930’s and, developed schizophrenia when she was studying medicine. I noticed that she seemed happy when she was singing. She was blessed with a beautiful singing voice. My theory is that the singing may have blocked the “voices” in her head. Apart from her illness, she was a wonderful mother.

[@nonenoneonenonenone]

That was just one, where is the other?

[@JohnRaymondHall]

hi zzindorf - not sure the other you are mentioning ? :)

[@Splucked]

Your title says Kyra AND Tamara interviewed.

[@JohnRaymondHall]

i've given a transcript of the other interview with Tamara in the 'Notes' attached to this upload. it begins in the 'Notes' with: "The second is a telephone interview with Tamara Nijinsky, conducted by the Los Angeles Times on 3rd November 1994. Here is the transcript of that second interview: Q: What do you remember from the years you lived with your father?"

[@JohnRaymondHall]

i've given a transcript of the other interview with Tamara in the 'Notes' attached to this upload. it begins in the 'Notes' with: "The second is a telephone interview with Tamara Nijinsky, conducted by the Los Angeles Times on 3rd November 1994. Here is the transcript of that second interview: Q: What do you remember from the years you lived with your father?"

[@JohnRaymondHall]

sorry i wasn't very clear - i've given a transcript of the other interview with Tamara in the 'Notes' attached to this upload. it begins in the 'Notes' with: "The second is a telephone interview with Tamara Nijinsky, conducted by the Los Angeles Times on 3rd November 1994. Here is the transcript of that second interview: Q: What do you remember from the years you lived with your father?"