In 1951, Celia Franca travelled to Canada to launch what would become one of the world’s finest ballet companies. As the National Ballet of Canada opened its landmark 75th anniversary season this weekend with John Cranko’s Romeo & Juliet, we’re looking back at where it all began, with one woman’s extraordinary ambition, drive, and artistic vision.  

While the world knows Celia Franca as the founder of The National Ballet of Canada, her great-nephew Zusha Goldin knows her as Auntie Celia. She passed away in 2007, so he grew up getting to know her through photographs, objects, and family stories. 

He wanted to know more, so he reached out to family members in other countries, dug through archives in his family home, and printed out all the articles he could find. As he learned more about her experiences, Goldin, a portrait photographer, was inspired to create the following five-act photographic series. It also happened that Goldin’s sister, Devora, featured in the photos, bears a striking resemblance to Celia. 

Becoming Celia is Goldin’s way of honouring his great-aunt, sharing her story as her company marks a major milestone, and exploring her legacy through the lens of her bloodline. 

Becoming Celia

The Choice

Introduced to ballet at age 4, Celia was an acclaimed British ballerina, ballet mistress, and pioneer in early television ballet. In 1951 — at age 29 — she voyaged across the Atlantic to found a national ballet in Canada.

The Journey

Behind her, an established career in England. Ahead of her, a company yet to be built from scratch.

The Vision

Before The National Ballet of Canada was established, there was simply a dream with no guaranteed success. The stakes were high to ensure the necessary resources, funding, and infrastructure. This shot portrays Celia standing with absolute aplomb, strong in her vision for a world-class ballet in Canada.
 

The Work

While working as a file clerk at an Eaton’s, Celia recruited dancers, assembled an artistic team, and prepared the new company for its first season. On the 12th of November 1951, The National Ballet of Canada held its inaugural performance at Eaton Auditorium.

The Recognition

For the next 25 years, Celia led the company as Artistic Director. In 2001, in celebration of Celia’s 80th birthday, 3,500 long-stemmed roses were distributed amongst the audience in her honour. Red roses will always remind our family of her. We share stories about the times Celia would request a single red rose delivered from her great-nephew (my cousin), Jason Franks, and he would send her whole bouquets instead.

As a dancer, choreographer, artistic director, teacher, and founder of The National Ballet of Canada, Celia Franca helped shape the standard and the identity of ballet in Canada. Her influence lives in every generation that followed, in the dancers she shaped, and in the institution that her vision became.

Creative Direction / Photography: Zusha Goldin

Art Direction: Nissim Arielle Garcia-Goldin & Zusha Goldin

Glam / Styling: Nissim Arielle Garcia-Goldin

Model: Devora Goldin