Russian cimetery of Ste Geneviève des Bois – FRANCE, originally uploaded by natachenka
Forty-six years ago today a 23 year old Tatar ballet dancer by the name of Rudolf Nureyev defected from the Soviet Union. Two years later, he and Margot Fonteyn formed what is probably ballet’s best known partnership.
He contracted HIV during the 1980s and his general decline meant the end of his dancing career as well as a short but successful career in conducting.
Russian cemetery of Sainte Geneviève des Bois – FRANCE,originally uploaded by natachenka
Regarded as one of the greatest male dancers of the 20th century, alongside Vaslav Nijinsky and Mikhail Baryshnikov, Nureyev was recognised by many. Amongst his awards was France’s highest cultural award, the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres.
A few months later on 6 January 1993, he died in Paris. His body was laid to rest in the Russian cemetery of Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois near Paris. The mosaic carpet reminiscent of oriental kilim rugs was designed and built by set designer, Ezio Frigerio.
Russian cimetery of Ste Geneviève des Bois – FRANCE, originally uploaded by natachenka
Make Mine Mosaic 
I have seen this in several books and it is absoluitely fantastic. I would love to know who made it, how they made it and where I can see more of their work. Spectacular!
What a wonderful thing. Kaffe Fasset the textile artist and designer used this image in one of his lectures on a visit to NZ and it has haunted me ever since, it looks so tactile and soft yet would be cold and unyielding to the touch. Amazing.
Nureyev’s grave is very beautiful, dramatic, sensitive, unexpected, and suited to the complexity of this great artist personality. The rug a symbol of comfort and warmth gives me the impression that protects him, as well as welcomes me to sit and keep him company. Beautiful art work, bravo Enzio!
I worked with Nureyev in American Ballet Theatre. Next time I am in Paris I will visit him.
Hilda Morales
(Former Soloist of ABT)
February 8, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Rudy’s ghost must surely visit this place just to admire the glorious rug-like mosiac monument. This is magnificent!
Il mosaico del sepolcro di R.Nureyv è stato eseguito a Ravenna da Akomena ,su progetto di Ezio Frigerio(scenografo)ed elemento scultoreo : atelier scenografici de l’Opera de la Bastille Paris.
I have long been fascinated with the mosaic work on Nureyev tomb and will one day see it in person.
Helene Clairoux Fagan
Amaging. work is so beautiful no one can believe that its a mosaic work it looks like a real rug.
Wonderful.
Best wishes to the Artist
I cannot ever view this magnificent memorial without a tear coming to my eye. It’s a fitting memorial to a truly great artist that contributed much to the art of dance and theater, and beauty. Our world is better because he was here.
He was never sorry for himself, now so tired of life.
EVERYTHING WAS TRIED.
EVERYTHING WAS WRITTEN.
HE ACHIEVED ALL HIS DREAMS.
I SILENTLY PRAYED FOR HIM, MR. Rudolf Nureyev.