Sonja Kastl, renowned Croatian ballerina and director, passes away

Sonja Kastl, a celebrated ballerina, choreographer, and the first director of the ballet at the Croatian National Theatre (HNK) in Zagreb, has died at the age of 97.

Throughout her career, Kastl performed approximately 60 roles, including parts in ‘Sleeping Beauty’, ‘Coppélia’, ‘Romeo and Juliet’, and ‘The Devil in the Village’. She also created 30 choreographies for operas, musicals, and other theatrical productions. In 1991, she received the ‘Vladimir Nazor’ Lifetime Achievement Award.

Kastl began her tenure at the Zagreb HNK in 1945 and later served as the head of ballet in Klagenfurt. She received her training in London at the Cecchetti School and in Paris.