As the war in Ukraine continues, the National Ballet of Ukraine from the Taras Shevchenko National Opera House is currently on its Canadian tour. The event stopped in Ottawa on Jan. 21 to showcase the talents of some of the world’s top performers and raise awareness of the ongoing humanitarian needs across Ukraine.
The Ukrainian dancers are touring Canada to perform a captivating experience that takes passages from arguably the world’s best ballet performances while showcasing Ukrainian culture.
Photo by Volodymyr Melnyk.
The show is called Nadyia Ukraine which translates to “Hope for Ukraine.” It aims to bring the hope of Ukraine to Canada, highlighting the hardships endured by Ukrainian citizens and how non-profit organizations are working directly with families to provide crisis relief and refugee aid.
During the show, there was a presentation from Ukraine’s First Lady on the Olena Zelenska Foundation, which provides essential and emergency services on the ground in Ukraine. Their objective is to restore the safety of its citizens, both physically and mentally, and to work towards a better future for the country.
The show’s mandate is why its ticket prices were kept lower, and audiences were asked for additional donations separate from their ticket purchase. Each person was asked to give as little or as much as they wanted, and all the money that was raised is going directly toward helping the citizens of Ukraine begin the long process of rebuilding their lives.
The show began with a speech by the ambassador of Ukraine, followed by the national anthems of Canada and Ukraine.
Photo provided by the National Ballet of Ukraine.
I immediately noticed the minimalist layout of the sets and the lack of props on the stage. With nothing more than a projector showing varying scenes of the famous ballets, and the sheer utter talent of the dancers on stage, I was quickly and nimbly whisked away into the stories as they paraded one after the other.
The first story was that of Don Quixote, where the back-and-forth of the male and female lead could only be described as a delicate and elegant display of movement and music.
Following that was Esmeralda with a dazzling technical duet that featured the dancers’ powerful movements across the floor. My favourite was “Melody in A Minor” by Myroslav Skoryk. The lead dancer wore a beautiful white dress that my spouse described as “her dream wedding dress” as it flowingly accentuated the dancer’s movements.
Photo provided by the National Ballet of Ukraine.
The performances for Harlequinade, Le Corsaire, and Giselle were captivating, as each dancer took centre stage to perform their own sets before coming together to work in harmony. The spins and fluid movements had the audience clapping to the tune of the songs, which added another layer to the live experience.
The last set was “Prayer for the Fallen,” from Lacrimosa. The projector brought up images of the devastation across Ukraine, each image flashing briefly to highlight the horror that numerous cities across the country have experienced. The initial image of the pre-war city, followed by the post-war view, put a spotlight on the haunting views and human cost of the ongoing conflict.
Photo provided by the National Ballet of Ukraine.
Following intermission, the play felt like a whirlwind to my senses as we were gifted with the dancers’ skilled performances of Forest Song, Le Corsaire (with different performers on the second go), and La Sylphide.
The Night Before Christmas was a treat for me as wisps of the holidays still linger in my mind.
Photo provided by the National Ballet of Ukraine.
But the best piece of the night was Taras Bulba. This finishing set was performed by all the dancers, in groups of three and four, as well as together. The way each performer on stage flowed in and out of their movements, matching the pace and position of their peers and the music was a treat to the eyes and ears.
With all that has happened in Ukraine, the play has only reinforced in my mind how beauty must triumph over horror, and how the light—no matter how dim—must be kept lit so that in the darkest periods of life, one always believes that love and the human condition will persevere. There is more that binds us together than there is that tears us apart.
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