Meanwhile, the dancers of the National Ballet of Ukraine, who will begin a tour of Canada in January, continue to practice their profession despite the threat of Russian attacks at any time.
“We reduced the number of spectators by half because in the event of an alarm we have to respect the capacity of the shelter under the stage,” explains Natalia Matsak, principal ballerina of the National Ballet of Ukraine, which performs in Kiev, the country’s capital. “The show can be interrupted [par les alarmes]so all of them [danseurs et spectateurs] “We must seek refuge together,” she said on Wednesday during a video conference with Le Journal.
Natalia Matsak, principal ballerina of the National Ballet of Ukraine. Courtesy of the National Ballet of Ukraine
Even when the alarm is raised, these artists remain loyal to their position, determined to bring some comfort to a population that truly needs it.
“If it doesn’t take too long, people will return to their seats and we will continue the performance,” the dancer continues, recalling that the troupe and their admirers had already had to take shelter for five hours for fear of a bomb attack Russians. “People want and need to have some semblance of a normal life, even if it’s just for an evening,” she says, explaining why spectators tend to return to their seats in the hall after an alarm.
Honor those who died at the front
Olga Kifyak, a ballerina from Kiev, lost her father and brother, who died at the front 17 months apart. The latter light a candle before each performance, in their memory, but also in memory of all those who died defending their country.
“We have all lost loved ones in this war; Friends, brothers, sisters, parents,” she says. “The candle will be lit next to the photos of my father and brother, but it is to honor all those we have lost.”
The National Ballet of Ukraine’s Canadian tour, which begins Jan. 15 in Quebec, is a way for dancers to pay tribute to those who died, their homeland and their culture.
“The Russians want to destroy us and destroy our culture,” says Sergii Kryvokon, a principal dancer with the National Ballet of Ukraine, whom he met virtually when he was also in Kiev. “Continuing to practice our profession is our way of defending our culture while our friends and families are on the front lines.”
Sergii Kryvokon, principal dancer of the National Ballet of Ukraine. Courtesy of the National Ballet of Ukraine
The proceeds from this 23-date tour will go, among other things, to the Olena Zelenska Foundation, which was founded in 2022 by the country’s first lady and presented at the 77th General Assembly of the United Nations.
“It is certain that the departure from Ukraine is worrying; We may lose loved ones while we are away, but it is an honor to take our culture on a journey while helping our country,” admits Natalia Matsak.
The National Ballet of Ukraine begins its tour on January 15th at the Grand Théâtre de Québec for two consecutive nights before traveling to Montreal, where it will perform at the Théâtre St-Denis from January 17th to 20th.