Hello people,

My name is Maria Smolnikova, I’m 19 years old and I am honored to share my story and ask for your support as I begin the next chapter of my artistic and personal journey.

I have recently been accepted to the Expanded Contemporary Dance Programme at the Amsterdam University of the Arts. Receiving this acceptance was the realization of a dream that I have worked toward for many years. Dance has been my passion since the age of seven, and throughout my life I have dedicated myself to developing both as an artist and as a person through dance.

I was born in Kaliningrad, Russia, into a Jewish family. Although the Jewish community in my hometown was very small, it played an enormous role in my life. From a young age, I always felt supported by my Jewish community in every step I took. My achievements, performances, and successes were celebrated by the community, and I always felt surrounded by people who genuinely cared about me. Through those experiences, I realized that the Jewish community was much more than a religion to me—it was a family. A family that exists all over the world.

When I was fifteen years old, my family and I made the difficult decision for me to move to Israel through the Naale program. In Russia, and especially in my hometown, we often experienced antisemitism, and I felt that Israel was the place where I truly belonged. I believed that there I would find an even larger community and a stronger sense of home. Moving to Israel alone, without my parents, at such a young age required independence, resilience, and courage. Since then, I have continued to live in Israel on my own, while my parents remain in Russia. Due to financial circumstances, relocating to Israel was not an option for them. The support I received from the Jewish community during that transition reinforced my belief that Jewish people around the world are connected through a shared sense of responsibility, belonging, and mutual support.

In Israel, I completed high school, learned Hebrew, and continued to pursue my artistic development. I trained at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance and later joined The New Dancer Program in Tel Aviv. I also participated in professional training programs with Batsheva Dance Company and Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company. In 2023, I received first place for a contemporary solo performance at an international dance competition in Portugal. Every step of this journey strengthened my commitment to dance and deepened my understanding of the power of art to connect people.

Alongside my artistic training, I have been actively involved in community and charitable initiatives. I have participated in art exhibitions at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art dedicated to charitable causes and community engagement. Through these projects, I discovered that art is not only a form of self-expression, but also a powerful tool for bringing people together, creating dialogue, and supporting meaningful social initiatives. This belief continues to guide me both as an artist and as a member of the Jewish community.

Today, at the age of nineteen, I have decided to continue my development beyond the borders of Israel and to learn from people and cultures around the world. Being accepted to the Amsterdam University of the Arts was a major milestone for me. It is the university I dreamed of attending, and I worked tirelessly to earn my place there.

As I begin my studies in Amsterdam, I hope to become actively involved in Jewish life there and help build connections between different Jewish communities. Throughout my life, Jewish communities in Russia and Israel have supported me, encouraged me, and celebrated my achievements. I would like to continue building those connections in the Netherlands and contribute to the same sense of belonging that has shaped my own journey. I hope to create spaces where people can come together through culture, dialogue, and artistic expression.

Unfortunately, my parents still live in a small city in Russia and do not have the financial means to support my education and living expenses abroad. Since moving to Israel, I have largely supported myself independently and learned from a young age how to take responsibility for my own education, housing, and daily expenses. While my parents do what they can, their financial support is very limited. Pursuing professional dance training is financially demanding, and studying abroad presents an even greater challenge. Without external assistance, it will be extremely difficult for me to cover the costs of tuition and continue on the path I have worked so hard to build.

I am therefore asking for your support. Receiving financial assistance would not only help me pursue my education, but would also allow me to continue giving back to the Jewish people through my work and artistic career. After completing my studies, I hope to use my art to support Jewish cultural initiatives, educational programs, community projects, and charitable causes. As I begin this new chapter in Amsterdam, I hope to strengthen connections between Jewish communities through culture and artistic expression. Just as Jewish communities have invested in me throughout my life, I hope to dedicate my future career to strengthening, inspiring, and giving back to Jewish communities around the world through artistic creation, education, and cultural engagement.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and for supporting young Jewish people in achieving their dreams. I would be deeply grateful for the opportunity to continue my education and represent the values of resilience, creativity, community, and cultural connection that have shaped my life.

Sincerely,

Maria Smolnikova