Emilija Dzipunova (born January 30, 1935, in Veles) is a Macedonian ballerina and ballet critic.
As a soloist, she was distinguished for her dance expression and confident ballet technique.
Biography
Dzipunova belongs to the first generation of Macedonian ballerinas. She started ballet at the age of 13. Her debut as a soloist was in 1949 in the first full-length ballet performance The Fountain of Bakhchisarai.
She graduated from the Ballet School in Skopje under the mentorship of Gj. Makedonski and N. Kirsanova while simultaneously completing high school. She also attended the Faculty of Philology in Skopje. Dzipunova was a member of the Ballet of the Macedonian National Theatre (MNT) from 1949 to 1974.
Until her retirement in 1975, she participated in all ballet performances and was recognized as a "distinguished soloist." She performed as a soloist in more than 30 ballets staged at the MNT, earning high praise from critics. Additionally, she appeared in ballet segments of various operas staged at the MNT.
After retiring, she became a ballet reviewer for radio and print media in 1979. She authored two television series on ballet and wrote over 70 lexicographical entries on ballet for several encyclopedias. Furthermore, Dzipunova authored two books: The Macedonian Ballet Scene and Ballet as the Supreme Aesthetic of Dance.
Roles
- Maria's Friend (The Fountain of Bakhchisarai, B. Asafyev)
- Muse (Francesca da Rimini, P. I. Tchaikovsky)
- Columbine (Coppélia, L. Delibes)
- and others
Awards
Dzipunova is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions from the institutions where she worked. She also holds the Order of Labour with a Golden Wreath, awarded by the President of the former SFR Yugoslavia.
- 2015 - Menada Award
- 2018 - St. Kliment Ohridski Award for long-standing contributions to culture and the arts
- 2021 - 13th November Award
