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Grand Kyiv Ballet

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For the National Ballet of Ukraine (Kyiv Ballet), see National Ballet of Ukraine.
Grand Kyiv Ballet
General information
NameGrand Kyiv Ballet
Year founded2014
Founding artistic directorOleksandr Stoianov
Websitewww.grandkyivballet.com.ua/en/

The Grand Kyiv Ballet, also called Kyiv Grand Ballet or Kiev Grand Ballet, is an independent touring ballet company of Ukrainian ballet dancers from Kyiv temporarily operating from the International Ballet Academy in Bellevue, Washington, USA while in refuge from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[1][2][3][4]

Background

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Origin

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The Grand Kyiv Ballet was founded in 2014 by Oleksandr Stoianov, a premiere of the National Ballet of Ukraine, beginning with a French tour of 35 theaters, with a troupe consisting of approximately 35 performers.[5][6]

Prominent members

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This group includes dancers who have performed in the National Opera of Ukraine.[7] Stoianov is the founder, artistic director,[8] and principal dancer of the group. Stoianov's wife, Katerina Kukhar, is a principal dancer of the National Opera of Ukraine, and of the Grand Kyiv Ballet.[4] Both Stoianov and Kukhar are graduates of the Kyiv State Choreographic College.[4] Stoianov has been awarded the title, "Honored Artist of Ukraine" by the government of Ukraine.[9] Kukhar is the head of Kyiv State Choreographic College[10] and has been awarded the honorary title, "People's Artist of Ukraine" by the government of Ukraine.[11]

Activities during war

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Kukhar said their family had been in Kyiv on February 24, 2022, and became refugees during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[7]

In December, 2023, Stoianov told media that many of the performers of the Grand Kyiv Ballet use the money they earn through their performances to support their families in Ukraine.[4]

Grand Kyiv Ballet works to support ballet dancers from Ukraine find places to train around the world, estimating they have helped more than 200 ballet children.[7] In October, 2023, Kukhar expressed the importance of providing an opportunity for Ukrainian dancers to continue their careers following the destruction of many theaters in Ukraine, to share Ukrainian culture, and collecting funds to provide support to Kyiv State Ballet College.[1][12][13]

Projects

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In 2023, the Grand Kyiv Ballet's website[12] listed their projects as:

Tour history

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  • In spring 2023, the group toured Europe, New Zealand, and the United States performing a two act production. The first act was a ballet version of the Ukrainian work, Forest Song, and the second act a ballet version of Don Quixote.[25]
  • In fall 2023, the group toured the United States, performing the ballet, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.[26][4][7]
  • In spring 2024, the group will be touring the United States, performing the ballet, Giselle.[27]

National Opera of Ukraine statement

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In January, 2023, the National Opera of Ukraine, based in Kyiv, issued a statement that independent companies with names similar to the Grand Kyiv Ballet do not represent the National Opera of Ukraine.[28] The National Opera of Ukraine's statement also states the similarly-named independent ballet company, Kyiv City Ballet, a ballet company founded in 2012 by Ivan Kozlov, does not represent the National Opera of Ukraine.[29]

In their statement, the National Opera of Ukraine emphasized their disagreement over performances of Russian composer Tchaikovsky's works, the Nutcracker and Swan Lake, during Russia's invasion of Ukraine.[28][30] This opinion is not universally shared in the Ukrainian music community, with others emphasizing Tchaikovsky's connection to Ukraine including Tchaikovsky's Ukrainian heritage, Ukrainian influences on Tchaikovsky's music, and Tchaikovsky's time spent in Ukraine.[31]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Brackett, Charmain Z. (2023-10-01). "Renowned Ukrainian dancers present 'Snow White' Oct. 5". Augusta Good News. Archived from the original on 2023-11-10. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
  2. ^ "Kyiv Grand Ballet give emotional final performance of French tour". euronews. 2022-03-03. Archived from the original on 2023-12-29. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
  3. ^ "Kiev Grand Ballet - Swan Lake". www.visitberlin.de. 2024-01-26. Archived from the original on 2023-12-29. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
  4. ^ a b c d e Davis, Mike (2023-12-20). "How Bellevue became home to Ukraine's ballet diaspora". m.kuow.org. Archived from the original on 2023-12-28. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  5. ^ "About". Grand Kyiv Ballet. Archived from the original on 2023-12-28. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  6. ^ Clark-Dow, Emma (2023-04-08). "Ukrainian ballet, feeling the effects of war, to perform in Auckland". Stuff. Archived from the original on 2023-12-28. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  7. ^ a b c d "DAY IN THE LIFE OF DANCE: Ukrainian Ballet Stars, Kateryna Kukhar and Oleksandyr Stoianov, Fight for Peace and the Soul of Ukraine". www.dance-enthusiast.com. Archived from the original on 2023-12-28. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  8. ^ "Alexander Stoyanov". Balletistan. Archived from the original on 2023-08-05. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
  9. ^ "Oleksandr Stoyanov". Lviv National Opera. Retrieved 2024-01-17.
  10. ^ умолчанию, Администратор по (2023-11-25). "Адміністрація". ksbc.com.ua (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2024-01-17.
  11. ^ "Kateryna Kukhar". Golden Dancers. Retrieved 2024-01-17.
  12. ^ a b c "Grand Kyiv Ballet". Grand Kyiv Ballet. Archived from the original on 2023-12-23. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  13. ^ "The Grand Kyiv Ballet Presents "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" in Winston-Salem". YES! Weekly. 2023-09-18. Archived from the original on 2023-12-29. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
  14. ^ "The Forest Song". Grand Kyiv Ballet. Archived from the original on 2023-03-14. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  15. ^ "Children of the Night". Grand Kyiv Ballet. Archived from the original on 2023-12-28. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  16. ^ "Don Quixote". Grand Kyiv Ballet. Archived from the original on 2023-12-28. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  17. ^ "Giselle". Grand Kyiv Ballet. Archived from the original on 2023-12-28. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  18. ^ "Carmen Suite". Grand Kyiv Ballet. Archived from the original on 2023-12-28. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  19. ^ "Spartacus". Grand Kyiv Ballet. Archived from the original on 2023-12-28. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  20. ^ "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs". Grand Kyiv Ballet. Archived from the original on 2023-12-28. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  21. ^ "The Sleeping Beauty". Grand Kyiv Ballet. Archived from the original on 2023-12-28. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  22. ^ "Nutcracker". Grand Kyiv Ballet. Archived from the original on 2023-12-28. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  23. ^ "Romeo and Juliet". Grand Kyiv Ballet. Archived from the original on 2023-12-28. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  24. ^ "Swan Lake". Grand Kyiv Ballet. Archived from the original on 2023-12-28. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  25. ^ George (2023-01-30). "Grand Kyiv Ballet of Ukraine – Forest Song and Don Quixote – Isaac Theatre Royal". Archived from the original on 2023-12-28. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  26. ^ Theatre, Orpheum. "Snow White by Grand Kyiv Ballet – Orpheum Theatre". Snow White by Grand Kyiv Ballet – Orpheum Theatre. Archived from the original on 2023-12-28. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  27. ^ Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony. "Grand Kyiv Ballet Presents: Giselle | Atlanta Symphony Orchestra". www.aso.org. Archived from the original on 2023-12-28. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  28. ^ a b "News | Національна опера України". opera.com.ua. Archived from the original on 2023-11-04. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  29. ^ "ABOUT US | Kyiv City Ballet | Best Ukraine Theatre". KyivCityBallet. Archived from the original on 2023-12-29. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
  30. ^ Olson, Emily (December 9, 2022). "Ukraine is calling for a boycott of 'The Nutcracker.' Ballet companies aren't budging". NPR. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  31. ^ Khotin, Rostyslav (2023-03-05). "The Rumble Over Russian Composer Tchaikovsky At An Elite Ukrainian Conservatory". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Archived from the original on 2023-12-29. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
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