Born in Rokiškis
– What is dance for you – work, philosophy, the meaning of life, or maybe all together? Or maybe it’s not really work because it’s pleasure?
– I can say that – everything. It’s a part of me, it’s my life. Someone very close to me has said that I’m crazy regarding work in a good way. I often lose track of time when I’m working, especially when I’m in a creative process and things are going well. Dance – work or pleasure? I would say a lifestyle that turns into a job when you get really tired. And work, because you live from it.
– Tell me how and why you chose choreography? Were there other alternatives? You didn’t want to be a ballerina?
– The beginning of the dance – ballet studio Ukmergė KC, manager Valentinas Deviatnikovas. I was selected for the ballet department of the Čiurlionis Art School of Vilnius Municipal School. My mother didn’t let me out, I was very sad, I really wanted to be a ballerina. Later, the national dance team led by Virginija Butvilavičienė. I am very grateful to the first wonderful dance teachers who gave me the basics of dance. At the age of 12, I told my parents that I would be a choreographer. My mother wanted me to choose a profession as a hairdresser. I cut hair, did hairstyles, everything was self-taught.
I had another passion – directing. At school, I belonged to the “cult” sector, we created plays, acted, danced, prepared agitator brigade programs – everything. When I entered the then Vilnius School of Culture in 1982, students of all majors created performances for the New Year carnival. I took the initiative, staged the play and played the lead role. We won first place. It was a high rating, following all, we competed with those studying directing. After this incident, the head of the Department of Directing turned to the Department of Choreography, saying that the girl had chosen the wrong specialty.
Read more in “Hometown…”
The article Rima Bielovienė: “You need to love and give” was posted by Gimtasis Rokiškis.