Leaving Ukraine in January, the dancers of the Grand Ballet de Kiev live from a distance the invasion of their country by Russia. For their last date in France at La Teste-de-Buch (Gironde) on March 2, they delivered a version of Swan Lake which won over the public, before singing the national anthem.
This March 2, the Cravey theater in La Teste-de-Buch is sold out for the interpretation of the Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky by the Grand Ballet of Kiev. The Ukrainian troupe ends its strong 48-date French tour this evening, while the main cities of the country are in the grip of Russian bombardments.
In support, the yellow and sky blue flag floats in front of the room. “I did not come in relation to the context: I had bought the tickets a very long time agoconfides Pascal, who came with his daughter Maëlle. It’s bound to be a little more touching when you know what’s going on there, but you try to enjoy the show and leave the bad thoughts outside..”
The young dancers of the Grand Ballet de Kiev started their tour in France on January 3, long before Russian troops invaded Ukraine. In a profession where rigor is essential, artists try to keep a cool head. “When they call their relatives, their friends, their parents, they see that it can go there, that they are safe and sound. So it helps morale.” underlines Yuri Kovalev, manager of the tour, himself Ukrainian.
They are professionals, they respect their profession despite the situation, the travels and the very high pace of work. Me, I stay nice with them and that keeps a good atmosphere.
Yuri Kovalev, tour manager of the Grand Ballet of Kiev
Yuri Kovalev says he is proud that the dancers have decided to perform until the end of the tour. But soon the question of returning to the country will arise. “Tomorrow they fly to Warsaw [en Pologne, NDLR] where they will play ten more dates. (…) The majority do not wish to return to Ukraine and will offer their services to troops in Germany. But all is not yet well decided.“
“I confess that I don’t fully understand what is happening in Ukraine, because I am devoting myself body and soul to dance and to the public at the moment. But it is very important, in these particular times, to show the public of the whole world the extent of the war which is tearing our country apart,” slips a dancer before boarding the bus.
“give yourself body and soul“is word for word what exalts the Ukrainian anthem, which she sang on stage with her compatriots after the show, before brandishing her fist, to thunderous applause.”JI cried, since the lyrics explain that we will fight until the last, she slips. This moment of the anthem is exactly what we are experiencing. This is a call to all Ukrainians to fight until the end.”