Latest news with #dancecompany
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Under bombs, above fear: Kharkiv's ballet reclaims the stage amid war's shadows
KHARKIV (Ukraine), May 31 — In the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, it's hard to escape the war with Russia. On some days, when the wind blows in the right direction, residents of the historic city can hear the boom of artillery fire from the front line, some 30 km (20 miles) away. Most nights, Russian kamikaze drones packed with explosives buzz over apartment buildings as parents put their children to bed. Frequently - but unpredictably - a Russian ballistic missile will slam into the city. Three years on from Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, for many people in Kharkiv, the war with its unrelenting, inescapable proximity, takes a mental toll. But there is a space in the city where – for a few fleeting hours – the war stops existing. In the dark, brick-walled basement of the Kharkiv National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, a dance company has created a space protected from drones and bombs where audiences can lose themselves in performances of classic ballets. In April, the space was host to performances of 'Chopiniana', an early 20th-century ballet with music by Frederic Chopin. Despite the makeshift setting, the ballet was performed with full classical pomp, complete with corps de ballet and orchestra. That marked a milestone for Kharkiv's cultural life because it was the first full performance of a classical ballet in the city since February 2022, when Russian troops invaded Ukraine. 'In spite of everything – the fact that bombs are flying, drones, and everything else – we can give a gift of something wonderful to people,' said Antonina Radiievska, artistic director of Opera East, the ballet company which staged the performance. 'They can come and, even if it's just for an hour or two, completely immerse themselves in a different world.' Despite Ukraine's history of excellence in classical ballet, the art form seems far removed from the everyday lives of Ukrainians in wartime. Daily routines are given over to checking apps for drone attack warnings, sleeping on the metro station floor to escape an air raid or seeking news of relatives on the front line. Pirouettes, pas-de-deux and chiffon tutus feel a world away. Ballerina Antonina Radiievska, 43, poses for a picture after practising for the revival of 'Chopiniana,' the first since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the underground area of the National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, in Kharkiv, Ukraine, April 27, 2025. — Reuters pic New normal Nevertheless, the journey of Kharkiv's ballet through the war mirrors the ways Ukrainian society has adapted and evolved. On February 23, 2022, the National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre put on a performance of the ballet 'Giselle'. The following day, Russia launched its full-scale invasion. As Moscow's troops reached the outskirts of Kharkiv and threatened to capture the city, the theatre closed its doors and many of the ballet troupe moved away. Some of them reassembled in Slovakia and Lithuania, and began touring ballet productions outside Ukraine with help from European sponsors. By 2023, the war was grinding on, but the situation in Kharkiv, in Ukraine's northeast, had stabilised after Russian ground forces pulled back. The realisation dawned on the city that this was a long game, a new, wartime reality. Local people started referring to the city – and themselves – using the Ukrainian word 'nezlamniy', meaning invincible. It was that year that work began on converting the theatre basement into a performance space. In October 2023, it began to be used as a rehearsal space. In spring the following year, the theatre was granted permission to bring in an audience, and it held small-scale ballet performances such as children's concerts. The revival of 'Chopiniana' represents the next milestone in Kharkiv's wartime cultural journey. Staging a classical opera again sends a message that Ukraine is still standing, according to Igor Tuluzov, Director-General of Opera East, the company staging the production. 'We are demonstrating to the world that we really are a self-sufficient state, independent, in all its aspects, including cultural independence,' he said. The auditorium seats 400 people on stackable chairs, compared to 1,750 in the main theatre upstairs, where the plush mustard seats lie empty. The stage downstairs is one quarter the size of the main stage. The aesthetic is grey-painted brick, concrete floors, pipes and electricity ducting running along the walls – a contrast to the varnished hardwood and marble of the space upstairs. The acoustic qualities of the basement, say the performers, don't match the lofty expanses of the main theatre. What matters to artistic director Radiievska, though, is that after a long hiatus, she and her troupe can once again perform at their best, in front of an audience. 'It means, you know, life,' she said. 'An artist cannot exist without the stage, without creativity, without dance or song. It's like a rebirth.' — Reuters
Reuters
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Reuters
In Ukraine's Kharkiv, ballet offers 'rebirth' after bombs and bullets
Ballerinas prepare for practicing the revival of the classical ballet 'Chopiniana,' in the underground area of the National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre amid ongoing attacks, in Kharkiv, Ukraine, April 27, 2025. REUTERS/Marko Djurica Photography and reporting by Marko Djurica Filed: May 30, 2025, 08 a.m. GMT In the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, it's hard to escape the war with Russia. On some days, when the wind blows in the right direction, residents of the historic city can hear the boom of artillery fire from the front line, some 30 km (20 miles) away. Most nights, Russian kamikaze drones packed with explosives buzz over apartment buildings as parents put their children to bed. Frequently - but unpredictably - a Russian ballistic missile will slam into the city. Three years on from Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, for many people in Kharkiv, the war and its unrelenting, inescapable proximity, takes a mental toll. But there is a space in the city where – for a few fleeting hours – the war stops existing. In the dark, brick-walled basement of the Kharkiv National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, a dance company has created a space protected from drones and bombs where audiences can lose themselves in performances of classic ballets. In April, the space was host to performances of 'Chopiniana', an early 20th century ballet with music by Frederic Chopin. Despite the makeshift setting, the ballet was performed with full classical pomp, complete with corps de ballet and orchestra. That marked a milestone for Kharkiv's cultural life because it was the first full performance of a classical ballet in the city since February 2022, when Russian troops invaded Ukraine. 'In spite of everything - the fact that bombs are flying, drones, and everything else - we can give a gift of something wonderful to people,' said Antonina Radiievska, artistic director of Opera East, the ballet company which staged the performance. 'They can come and, even if it's just for an hour or two, completely immerse themselves in a different world.' Despite Ukraine's history of excellence in classical ballet, the art form seems far removed from the everyday lives of Ukrainians in wartime. Daily routines are given over to checking apps for drone attack warnings, sleeping on the metro station floor to escape an air raid or seeking news of relatives on the front line. Pirouettes, pas-de-deux and chiffon tutus feel a world away. New normal Nevertheless, the journey of Kharkiv's ballet through the war mirrors the ways Ukrainian society has adapted and evolved. On February 23, 2022, the National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre put on a performance of the ballet 'Giselle.' The following day, Russia launched its full-scale invasion. As Moscow's troops reached the outskirts of Kharkiv and threatened to capture the city, the theatre closed its doors and many of the ballet troupe moved away. Some of them reassembled in Slovakia and Lithuania, and began touring ballet productions outside Ukraine with help from European sponsors. By 2023, the war was grinding on, but the situation in Kharkiv, in Ukraine's northeast, had stabilised after Russian ground forces pulled back. The realisation dawned on the city that this was a long game, a new, wartime reality. Local people started referring to the city - and themselves - using the Ukrainian word 'nezlamniy', meaning invincible. It was that year that work began on converting the theatre basement into a performance space. In October 2023, it began to be used as a rehearsal space. In spring the following year, the theatre was granted permission to bring in an audience, and it held small-scale ballet performances such as children's concerts. The staging of 'Chopiniana' represents the next milestone in Kharkiv's wartime cultural journey. Staging a classical opera again sends a message that Ukraine is still standing, according to Igor Tuluzov, Director-General of Opera East, the company staging the production. 'We are demonstrating to the world that we really are a self-sufficient state, independent, in all its aspects, including cultural independence,' he said. The auditorium seats 400 people on stackable chairs, compared to 1,750 in the main theatre upstairs, where the plush mustard seats lie empty. The stage downstairs is one quarter the size of the main stage. The aesthetic is grey-painted brick, concrete floors, pipes and electricity ducting running along the walls - a contrast to the varnished hardwood and marble of the space upstairs. The acoustic qualities of the basement, say the performers, don't match the lofty expanses of the main theatre. What matters to artistic director Radiievska though, is that after a long hiatus, she and her troupe can once again perform at their best, in front of an audience. 'It means, you know, life,' she said. 'An artist cannot exist without the stage, without creativity, without dance or song. It's like a rebirth.' The Wider Image Photography and reporting: Marko Djurica Additional photography: Violeta Santos Moura Writing: Christian Lowe Photo editing and design: Marta Montana Gomez Text editing: Ros Russell LICENSE THIS STORY Follow Reuters
BBC News
08-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Londonderry: Funding cut is 'catastrophic' for dance company
Funding cut is 'catastrophic' for dance company 9 minutes ago Share Save Chloe Gibson BBC News NI Share Save BBC Echo Echo artistic director Steve Batts says the decision by the Arts Council to reject their £112,000 funding application is devastating for the company Organisers of a Londonderry dance company fear they will have no other option but to close after 100% of their funding was cut. Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company said their funding application for more than £112,000 was rejected by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI). "If this decision stands, it will be terminal for the company," Echo Echo artistic director Steve Batts said. In a statement, ACNI said it is their policy not to provide details of the reasons for an applicant's rejection from any scheme to a third party, unless the rejected applicant granted permission for such disclosure. The spokesperson confirmed that Echo Echo's application to the 2025/26 Annual Funding Programme (AFP) was unsuccessful. They said that following this decision, the organisation was offered an award of more than £28,000 to assist with its transition out of the AFP portfolio. Organisers from Echo Echo said they met ACNI officials earlier this week, but were disappointed with the outcome of the meeting. The Derry dance company said the funding would have covered the wages of three staff members as well as some overheads. "This is a terrible decision with no basis in fact or reason," Mr Batts told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme. "Full-time jobs will be lost, artists will lose employment opportunities, confirmed projects with funding in place are now at risk, and a bespoke arts centre will close. "We have read the detailed feedback provided on the Arts Council application, and we will contest this in the strongest possible manner. "We will not take this decision lying down and will do everything in our power to keep the doors of Echo Echo open for our amazing artists." Freelance dance artist Kelly Quigley says she is shocked by the decision Kelly Quigley is a freelance dance artist, but the majority of the dance classes she teaches are contracted through Echo Echo and take place in the studio on Magazine Street in the city. "I am in utter shock. I just cannot believe that a company of this magnitude and reach could have its funding cut so unceremoniously," she said. "It is really disheartening to see the work of local artists being placed in jeopardy. "We should be celebrating the fantastic talent in the city, not doing things that could potentially harm it. "I don't think people realise the ripple effect these cuts could have — particularly if this building has to be sacrificed. She said it would "impact people not just here in Derry, but in Belfast, across Ireland, and even in Europe". Majella Berrnad attends the dance classes and says they have been her "salvation" Majella Bernard said that, for her, the dance classes she attends are incredibly important for her mental health. "Taking part in Echo Echo classes for the past 12 years has been my salvation and has opened a door to the creative arts in my life that was never there before," she said. "The sense of community and family here makes it one of Derry's most welcoming and inclusive places. "I'm devastated that we will be losing a large chunk of our funding — it is a brutal blow," she said. "Cutting a vital lifeline for an arts group in the current financial climate makes no sense," she added. Request a formal funding review
