Mikhail Nikolayevich Baryshnikov, born on January 27, 1948, in Riga, is known as a ballet dancer, choreographer, actor, collector, and photographer. He became a "refusenik" in the USSR, remaining in Canada after a tour in 1974. Baryshnikov broke down barriers between countries, genres, and aesthetics with incredible energy and avant-gardism. His unique appearance and charm set him apart from others. Who else among ballet stars can boast nominations for a Tony and an Oscar? Who appeared in "Sex and the City" and participated in Robert Wilson's productions? Baryshnikov does not hide his passions for cigars, fishing, and golf, as some athletes or even gangsters do. He can easily tell a journalist: "I am not the first dancer who prefers women, and I won't be the last," without fearing the consequences.

His constant pursuit of experimentation and change has become his main asset in the fight for the title of the greatest dancer. These assets are impossible to surpass. Cities, countries, theater stages, partners, applause, film and television, all of this is just fuel for his restless energy. At 12, he lost his mother, who committed suicide. At 16, he left his officer father and his native Riga to study in Leningrad under the legendary teacher Alexander Pushkin at the Vaganova Academy. At 19, bypassing the corps de ballet, he became the leading artist of the Kirov Theater. At 26, after a performance in Toronto, he got into a taxi and said goodbye to the USSR forever.

Baryshnikov has a calm attitude towards high society. When asked about his visits to Studio 54, he explained: "I was there a maximum of three times. But when you are photographed with Jagger, they then write that you are there all the time. I was there a couple of times with Martha Graham, once with Warhol and Liza Minnelli, because everyone was hanging out there then. But how could I stay there until six in the morning if I had a master class at ten?"