Mazovia Dance Festival – Ballet Project

Arrival in Pruszków

It was a Sunday. I was sitting in the car, driving to Pruszków. It was 2:00 PM when Mom and I arrived at the Culture and Sports Center in Pruszków. At 3:30 PM I was supposed to dance at the Masovian Dance Festival — Projekt Balet.

"Let's go," said Mom when we got out of the car in the parking lot. The weather was drizzly.

Registration and Finding the Way

When we entered the building, Mom went to the registration desk. I was going to dance a modern solo.

"The changing rooms are that way. Then please take the elevator and go through the underground parking garage" — those were the detailed instructions — "there will be signs with arrows."

The Big Stage

"Oh my God, this stage is huge!!!"

Formation modern jazz for children aged 5–8 was underway. I was waiting for my teacher to do my hair, and in the meantime I went to the auditorium (where the competition was taking place) to watch the little ones. Some formation was performing a Barbie routine.

Getting Ready

Mom was waiting for me in the hall. When I went to her, my teacher was already there waiting for me.

"Show me what you brought," she said. "You go on in an hour."

I had with me: a white bow, eye glitter, a hairbrush, hairspray, and some hair ties. With my hair done, I looked like this. Since I was about to perform, I went backstage. The solos were already underway. I had number 47.

The Performance and the Result

"And now, Helena Rajkow from the Nabalet dance school will perform."

I got third place! Tied with some other girl.

Not Over Yet

That wasn't the end. At 8:00 PM I was going to perform with the ballet formation. Our dance formation was cold snowflakes.

We came in third out of six teams.

I had to blink just as the photographer was taking the picture!