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Graciela Sultanik: A dancer and teacher who left her mark on generations
🇦🇷 Argentina /Culture & Society

Graciela Sultanik: A dancer and teacher who left her mark on generations

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Outcome reported
  • Graciela Sultanik, a renowned classical ballerina and influential teacher, has died at age 78 in Buenos Aires.
  • Sultanik had a distinguished career, performing as a principal dancer at the Teatro Argentino de La Plata and later at the Teatro Colón.
  • She is remembered for her generosity as a teacher, preparing dancers like Marianela Núñez for international careers.

Graciela Sultanik, a celebrated classical dancer and dedicated teacher, passed away on Sunday in Buenos Aires at the age of 78. Her death has prompted widespread remembrance within the dance community, with colleagues, students, and friends mourning the loss of a talented artist and generous mentor.

She was one of the best teachers in Argentina. Graciela arrived in my life at a crucial moment and prepared me in an exquisite way, like everything she did. I am very grateful to her.

— Marianela NúñezThe renowned ballerina reflects on Graciela Sultanik's impact on her career.

Sultanik trained at the prestigious Instituto Superior de Arte del Teatro Colón, studying under notable figures like Michel Borowski and Renate Schottelius. She joined the Teatro Argentino de La Plata's ballet company in the mid-1960s, steadily rising through the ranks to become a principal dancer. She often reflected on this period as foundational to her extensive knowledge of the classical repertoire.

I liked that she was very discreet; she gave everything in class. I remember she sweated and sweated, and lived dance as I believe one must live it: giving oneself to the maximum.

— Marianela NúñezMarianela Núñez describes Sultanik's teaching style and dedication.

Following a fire at the Teatro Argentino in 1977, Sultanik moved to the Ballet Estable del Teatro Colón, where she performed until her retirement in 1989. During her performing career, she also began teaching technique and repertoire, eventually becoming a highly respected instructor known for her profound impact on multiple generations of dancers.

She was not interested in being the center of attention, only in sharing, because she was a very generous person and a lover of this profession. It was a short period that I knew her, but it marked my life and my career in a very important way.

— Marianela NúñezMarianela Núñez speaks about Sultanik's selfless approach to teaching.

Among her notable students was Marianela Núñez, who credits Sultanik with crucial preparation for her entry into the Royal Ballet. "She was one of the best teachers in Argentina," Núñez stated, emphasizing Sultanik's exquisite attention to detail and her passionate, all-encompassing approach to teaching. "She gave everything in class... she lived dance as I believe one must live it: giving oneself to the maximum." Another former student and colleague, Analía Domizzi, described Sultanik as "the Bible of dance," highlighting her artistic precision and dedication to beauty. Sultanik's legacy continues through the dancers she trained and the maxims she shared, embodying a profound love for her profession.

those who seek detail, beauty

— Analía DomizziAnalía Domizzi remembers Sultanik as an artist focused on detail and beauty.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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