“There is so much misinformation about Russians, even outright falsehoods. That’s why I chose an abstract voice for this program – to let the world see us as we truly are: seekers, dreamers, aspirants, achievers.” Ilia Averbukh on Petr Gumennik’s FP
Ilia Averbukh explained the abstract and philosophical concept behind Petr Gumennik’s free skate program, which he will perform at the Olympic qualifying tournament in Beijing, September 18–21.
original source: Sport-Express
Petr Gumennik will take part in the Olympic qualifying competition for Milan-Cortina 2026, scheduled to be held in Beijing from September 18 to 21. His choreographer, Ilia Averbukh, shared the deeper meaning of his free skate program and its thematic intentions. Here’s a translation of his comments.
“It’s not surprising that the program evokes diverse opinions and interpretations – this was exactly my goal,” said Averbukh. “In Petr’s short program, the imagery is clear, but for the free skate, I wanted something more abstract and rich with meaning. Of course, this isn’t just skating to music. To me, it’s a conversation – a conversation with the sky, something open to individual interpretation. It can resemble a heartfelt prayer or a discourse presented as dialogue. That is why Petr begins by gazing upward, as if reaching for a star. Like every one of us, he’s trying to catch luck. His hand movements symbolize catching and then releasing the star – a playful yet profound act. Ultimately, the main dialogue occurs only within us, personally and deeply.”
Averbukh emphasized moments of struggle and triumph within the choreography. “It is filled with themes of overcoming, of pressure forcing us down, and then moments where we rise up and soar. It’s a never-ending conversation, philosophical at its core. At the end, Petr brings his hands together in a universally recognizable gesture of prayer, clarifying the narrative – it’s about inner understanding, emotional experiences, and the pursuit of love,” he explained.
Addressing Gumennik’s role as a representative of Russia at the Olympics, Averbukh shared the broader symbolic intention of the program. “I saw it as my purpose to convey something about us – about Russia. There is so much noise and misinformation about us, even outright falsehoods. That’s why I chose an abstract voice for this program – to let the world see us as we truly are: seekers, dreamers, aspirants, achievers. I felt this approach, abstract and modern in its choreography, was the right choice – it avoids literal storytelling.”
Reflecting on Gumennik’s previous success with his Onegin program, Averbukh noted the difference in thematic structure: “Last year, he skated Onegin beautifully, but that was grounded in a tangible, literary narrative with defined stages. This time, I hope that by the end of the program, every viewer will look up at the sky, just as Petr does. The rhythm of the music reflects an internal bolero—a ticking clock propelling us forward.”
Related topics: Ilia Averbukh, Petr Gumennik
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