The air in Via del Babuino was thick with anticipation and the soft murmur of excited chatter as guests streamed into the Hotel de Russie. It was December 10, 2025, a night that marked a dual celebration: the hotel’s illustrious 25th anniversary and the unveiling of a breathtaking Christmas spectacle. The monumental garden, usually a serene oasis, had been transformed into a verdant, illuminated stage, thanks to the enchanting installation, ‘Ballerina Sequence’ by the multidisciplinary artist Angelo Bonello. This was not merely a party; it was a culmination, a tribute to a quarter-century of history, creativity, and Roman hospitality.
A Dance of Light and History in Rome
As the evening unfolded, the ‘Ballerina Sequence’ cast its ethereal glow across the garden. Twelve luminous ballerinas, silhouetted against the winter night, danced in a silent, captivating rhythm. This was the first time Bonello’s internationally acclaimed work, previously showcased in Milan, Sydney, Beijing, and London, graced Rome, presented in collaboration with Casta Diva Art & Show. The installation, with its delicate balletic forms and evocative light, served as a poignant homage to the constellation of illustrious guests who have, for decades, made the Hotel de Russie a vibrant crossroads of creativity, history, and intellectual discourse.
Echoes of a Cubist Ballet
The choice of dance as the central artistic theme was no accident. It resonated deeply with the hotel’s rich past, echoing a significant moment in 1917 when Pablo Picasso and Jean Cocteau met within these very walls. During their stay, they conceived ‘Parade,’ the first cubist ballet in history – a groundbreaking collaboration that also involved the celebrated dancer Václav Nijinsky, the impresario Sergej Djagilev, and the composer Igor Stravinsky. This historical connection to artistic innovation and cultural exchange imbued the contemporary celebration with a profound sense of continuity and legacy. The hotel, through Bonello’s work, was not just hosting an event; it was reliving its own artistic soul.
A Contemporary Renaissance of Culture and Hospitality
The spirit of these legendary artists, who once gathered in the hotel’s social spaces and whose memories are still honored in its suites, was palpably reborn in the modern debut of ‘Ballerina Sequence.’ This installation firmly cemented the Hotel de Russie’s status as an international étoile, a shining star in the promotion of culture, beauty, and unparalleled hospitality within the Eternal City. Beyond the shimmering ballerinas, the festive ambiance was further enhanced by exquisite Christmas decorations curated by Sebastian Flowers, guiding guests through an experience filled with elegance and wonder. The night was a perfect blend of past and present, a celebration of art that ignited the Christmas spirit in the heart of Rome, ensuring that the Hotel de Russie continues to be a beacon of cultural significance for many years to come.
Source: https://roma.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/25_dicembre_10/ballerina-sequence-l-arte-accende-il-natale-in-via-del-babuino-2f693d14-31bc-47cf-b6c9-163df67c5xlk.shtml
