. >> at age ten, lubyov left home and enrolled at a ballet academy in central siberia.e performed for 20 years at prima ballerina in a city in western siberia. in recognition of her achievements, lyubov received a commendation from the soviet government. lyubov retired in 1988 at the age of 38 and returned home to vladivostok. three years later the soviet union collapsed. the amount of her pension was significantly reduced and she was forced to take janitorial jobs to eke out a living. lyubov's checkered life even made the newspapers. >> translator: when i heard an opera and ballet theater had opened in vladivostok, i was happy, but at the same time i was sad. happy because the theater i dreamed about since i was five years old had become a reality, and sad because it came too late. the spoon has to be set on the table at supper time. you know what i mean. >> this year lyubov turned 66 years old. she still keeps her pointe shoes as a cherished memento. it's july 30th, the grand opening day of the festival. valerie, the festival's artistic direor, holds a press conferenc