Ballet helps to fight war fatigue in Ukraine Russia-Ukrainian war

It is almost impossible to avoid the war with Russia in Kharkiv, Ukraine.

When the wind changes in certain days, this historical city inhabitants can hear the remote noise of the fire in the distance of 30 km (18.5 miles).

Most nights, Russian Kamikaze drones are full of explosive items noises because parents put their children to bed.

Since the occupation of Russia to Ukraine for three years, the free war is a heavy psychological load in Kharkov. Again, there is a place for several escaping hours in the city, because the war disappears.

The dark, brick-walled basement under the Kharkiv National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, a dance company shelter in the drones and bombs – in the performance of classic ballets, a place could lose themselves.

In April, this underground space was laid in the music of Frederick Chopin in the early 20th century. Despite improved parameters, the ballet, Corps de Ballet and Orchestra was full of full classic majesty.

A significant stage for Kharkov cultural life: The first complete classic ballet performance in the city since February 2022, the first complete classic ballet performance in the city when they occupied Ukraine.

“Despite everything – the fact that the bombs fly, drones and everything – we can give people a wonderful thing,” he said.

“They can come and dip into a completely different world, even if only for one or two hours.”

Despite the rich tradition of Ukraine’s classical ballet, the form of art now moved away from the daily existence of Ukrainians living by war. Sleeping on metro station floors to escape air routines, air routines or searching for the news of your loved ones, rotating around tracking applications for the metro station floors. Piruettes, Pas de Deux and Chiffon Tutus keeps the world away.

However, the visit of Kharkiv’s ballet by war reflects the ways that the Ukrainian society adapted and developed.

On February 23, 2022, the National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater organized a performance of Ballet Giselle. The next day, Russia launched his full-scale occupation. Moscow forces moved towards Kharkiv and threatened to seize the city and went to the theatrical doors and went most of the ballet troupe.

In Slovakia and Lithuania, some Rerup, the help of ballet production abroad with help from European sponsors.

Until 2023, the situation in the conflict, in the northeastern Ukraine, Kharkov was stabilized when the Russian land troops were withdrawn. It was a new realization – it was a long-term reality. Local residents are invincible to the city and themselves, in the word “Nezlamniy”.

That same year, the theater basement began to turn into the performance space. By October 2023, he was used for exercise. The next spring, authorities allowed Teatra to accept the audience and restored small-scale ballet performances, including children’s concerts.

Chopiniana’s revival celebrated Kharkov in the next chapter in the cultural journey of war.

A classic opera is being rebuilt, the endurance of Ukraine, the CEO Igor Tuluzov, General Director of the East. “We really show the world enough state, independence, independence, including cultural independence, including,” he said.

Now the audience now sits in the main theater in the main theater in the main theater in which popular mustard seats are now empty.

The base of the stage is one quarter. Gray bricks, concrete floors and exposed pipes and wires are reflected in a tough tough tree and marble in the theater above. The acoustics of the basement, performers, shortly in the main audience of the cave.

The artistic director is for Radievska, the most important thing, after a long break, he and the troupe can once again act again for a more live audience.

“It means your life, life,” he said. “A artist can not be available without the scene, without creativity, dancing and song. This is like birth.”