Ballet

    Ballet's origin stems from Italy in the 15th -16th century renaissance. It's infancy and maturity occurred largely in France afterwards.

    Ballet is a French word with Italian origin. It basically translates to mean "dance." It's decline in mid 19th century France led to the same in other countries but it was revived a little after world war 1.

    Despite the crude beginnings, ballet received it's polishing and reached it's peak under the reign of King Louis XIV of France who founded the Royal Dance academy and onwards professional ballerinas, principles, agencies ....sprung forth.

    Ballet styles, costume, techniques, audience hall.....have evolved into the modern era, most of these are named based on geography e.g Russian ballet. Through the ages various genres like romantic ballet, classical ballet, contemporary ballet....have been developed.

     Contemporary (our present world) ballet is often performed barefoot. There are books, schools, teachers on ballet. The minimum age requirement for a ballerina is eight, because of the nature of the dance.
     Ballet requires balance, poise, coordination, strength, ability to elevate the body... during the dance.

ballerinas performing "Romeo and Juliet"

     Though ballerinas aren't highly paid and they have health and cultural issues to deal with, ballet is still alive and keeps growing because it is "dance" by itself.