Lev Manakhimov

Lev Manakhimov was born in Derbent, Dagestan ASSR,^[1] into a Mountain Jewish family.^[2] His artistic journey began in childhood when he learned to play in a wind orchestra. As a child, he was also passionate about model car building and dreamed of becoming an automotive designer.

At the age of 16, he took up dancing and trained under choreographer Kazim Manafov. Within a year of studying dance, Lev Manakhimov was already performing national choreography alongside seasoned members of the ensemble. He continued to refine his dance skills at a cultural education college in the choreography department.

After serving in the Soviet Army, he graduated from the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts in Moscow and danced in the Russian Souvenir ensemble at Moscow State University.

In 2004, he became the head of the Judeo-Tat Theatre in Derbent.

In Derbent, he lived on Kandelaki Street and was considered the best Lezginka teacher in the city.^[3] He served as the head of the choreographic center for aesthetic education "Pirouette."

In August 2021, he fell ill with coronavirus and was transported from Derbent to Moscow for treatment, where he ultimately died from complications related to the infection.^[4] He was buried on August 16, 2021, outside Dagestan, in Israel.^[5] That same day, a mourning rally was held in the courtyard of the municipal Judeo-Tat Theatre in Derbent in his honor.^[6]

• Wife: Margarita Semenovna Manakhimova (1955–1996),^[7] was a conductor.^[8]
• Daughter: Jasmine, Russian singer.^[9]
• Son: Anatoly

• Honorary citizen of the city of Derbent
• Laureate of the Order "Heritage of Derbent"
• Honored Artist of Dagestan
• Honored Art Worker of the Russian Federation