Kai Leete
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26 May 1910
Kai Leete | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ksenia Karukova 26 May 1910 Tartu, Russian Empire |
| Died | 14 March 1995 (aged 84) Võru, Estonia |
| Education | Tartu Girls' High School |
| Occupations | Ballet and folk dancer, choreographer and actor |
Kai Leete (26 May 1910 – 14 March 1995), born Ksenia Karukova, was an Estonian ballet and folk dancer, choreographer and actor.
Leete was born on 26 May 1910 in Tartu, Russian Empire (now part of Estonia),[1][2][3] where her father was a master builder.[1] She was educated at Tartu Girls' High School, graduating in 1928. She studied folk dance under Ullo Toomi [et].[1]
Leete became a professional folk dancer and created dances for general dance parties.[4][5] She worked as a professional ballet artist at the Vanemuine theatre in Tartu between 1927 and 1935,[6] then performed in France and Belgium from 1935 to 1939.[1]
During World War II, Leete was held in Brandenburg concentration camp in Brandenburg an der Havel, Nazi Germany. She was released in 1945.[6]
After the war, Leete danced at Narva Theater from 1941 to 1943, then worked as an actor in the theater Spark from 1947 to 1948.[1] She also worked in the capital city Tallinn.[7]
Leete moved to Võru in 1960 and taught dances including the polka.[8][9] She directed county dance parties,[1] was the supervisor of the Võru Pioneeride Maja ballet circle and folk dance groups of over 60 dancers,[10] and influenced the cultural landscape of Viljandi, Valga and Võru.[11]
