Inland Visions

Russian Ballet: More Than a National Art

‘Inland Visions’ heads to St. Petersburg, a city which continues to define the culture of ballet.

Host Sean Thomas visits the prestigious Vaganova Ballet Academy to speak with legend Nikolai Tsiskaridze, and find out how today’s stars are raised.

Then it’s off to the world-famous Mariinsky theater, where so much ballet history has been and continues to be made. We speak to its principal dancer, Kimin Kim.

While it doesn’t compete with classical ballet, contemporary dance offers a lot to contemplate for award-winning choreographer Konstantin Keikhel, who shares his vision with us.

Smart surgery: picking the brain surgeon’s brain

In this edition of Inland Visions we head to Nizhny Novgorod to speak with world-renowned neurosurgeon Igor Medyanik. He utilizes state of the art technology and progressive methods. The field of surgery requires a great deal of skill and confidence, and when our brains are on the line, it also requires an element of artistry. We step into the operating room with one of the best, to witness an operation on a fully awake patient.

Sean Thomas also talks to neurolinguist Olga Dragoy, who helps navigate our brain’s complex pathways during this challenging procedure.

The breathtaking world of Moscow’s oldest circus

Enter the Russian capital’s most iconic Big Top for the spectacle – and so much more! The art of the greatest show on Earth has been passed down from generation to generation, moving forward while preserving traditions.

Inland Visions heads to one of the oldest circuses in Russia – the Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard. Some of the best acts in the business and the most breathtaking performances happen right here.

Host Sean Thomas finds out all about the philosophy behind the show with director Maksim Nikulin, and heads behind the scenes to meet Stanislav Bogdanov and his Flying Trapeze Heroes. Finally, Sean attempts to learn the language of tigers with trainers Arthur and Karina Bagdasarov.

Low Oxygen: Take a deep breath & explore hypoxia training in Kislovodsk

For generations, Kislovodsk has been an iconic spa city to come and get healthy, where people flock to take full advantage of its mineral waters and fresh air. But it's also home to cutting-edge research helping athletes, not by utilizing the fresh air, but by depriving them of it. Inland Visions explores the phenomenon of hypoxia and hypoxic training with the head of the Innovation Center of the Russian Olympic Committee, and world-renowned trainer Alexander Grushin.
Then follow host Sean Thomas as he discovers how hypoxia can be used to treat patients at a leading health resort in Kislovodsk.

‘Ashes of the universe’ – discovering neutrinos deep under the Caucasus Mountains

Neutrinos are tiny ‘ghost’ particles that could hold the key to understanding the universe. They don’t obey traditional laws of physics, and barely have mass… making them almost impossible to detect.

Inland Visions heads to the Caucasus Mountains in Kabardino-Balkaria and the Baksan Neutrino Observatory. Unlike most cosmic observatories, this one is located deep inside a mountain range, isolated from the outside world.

Join host Sean Thomas as he meets renowned physicist Vladimir Gavrin to find out how neutrinos could change our entire perception of physics.

Magnetic Olkhon: Legends of Baikal’s most mystical island

Olkhon is known as the heart of Baikal in Russia’s Siberia, a place where magic is a part of everyday life. It blends a unique mix of peoples with traditions and culture.

So what exactly is it that makes the island so appealing and mysterious? Host Sean Thomas sets out to meet some of the more prominent locals, from the keeper of the museum, to Olkhon’s chief shaman and a sculptor upholding mysticism through expression.