Commemoration in Rawdon of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Ludmilla Chiriaeff

The Société d’histoire de Rawdon is contributing to the organization of various events to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Ludmilla Chiriaeff, founder of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens and the École supérieure de ballet du Québec. These events include the following:

  • Posting of a Web page relating certain episodes of the life of Madame Chiriaeff and highlighting her ties with Rawdon (https://www.histoirederawdon.ca/ludmilla-chiriaeff/)
  • Showcasing of the sculpture honouring Madame Chiriaeff, located in the Ludmilla Chiriaeff Garden of the Centre d’interprétation multiethnique de Rawdon
  • Organization of a lecture-discussion aimed at recalling the contribution of Madame Chiriaeff to the development of dance in Quebec and the ties that she maintained with Rawdon; this event was held at the Centre communautaire Metcalfe in Rawdon, on July 7, 2024
  • Visit to the Russian cemetery in Rawdon on September 22, 2024 
  • Organization of an event by the dance program of the Collège Champagneur in Rawdon (currently in the planning phase).

These events will take you back to the amazing journey of Ludmilla Chiriaeff, a stateless immigrant who came to settle in Quebec in the 1950s with a great dream: to foster the art of dance. In Rawdon, she shared precious and unforgettable moments with her loved ones in this beloved place. She is buried in Rawdon’s Russian Orthodox cemetery, along with a few members of her family.

Ludmilla Chiriaeff, Radio-Canada studio; photographer: Henri Paul; source: Bibliothèque de la danse Vincent-Warren

For more information, please contact us at : info@histoirederawdon.ca