Son of Sergei Shafirov and Madeleine Noverre, famous dancers who spent their youths in premiere ballet companies all around the world. They met while dancing, fell in love while dancing—and kept dancing. They didn’t have time for a formal wedding, let alone a child. (Besides, Madeleine wouldn’t do that to her figure). It was only after middle age had forced them into semiretirement that they considered starting a family. They were advised against it, Madeleine being too old and too thin. They didn’t listen. And so they went, starting the Bratva Ballet in the Purple District.