Ukrainian dancers will perform “Don Quixote” on the stage of the Palais des Festivals on Thursday July 27, 2023 to help their country in conflict for almost 18 months.
Dance so as not to forget and continue to keep hope alive. On the stage of the auditorium of the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, the dancers of the national ballet of Ukraine tirelessly rehearse their dance steps.
Thursday, July 27, 2023, they will perform Don Quixote by choreographer Marius Petipa. A charity performance in solidarity with their country at war since February 2022.
The funds collected will benefit two associations, one finances the reconstruction of the country, the other psychologically supports traumatized mothers.
Don Quixote: a strong symbol
The Ukrainian people have been fighting against the Russian invader since February 24, 2022. If the outpouring of generosity was significant at the start of the conflict, today solidarity tends to wither and financial aid is dwindling. “People have moved on, we are ‘used’ to war and fundraising has become much harder,” observes Nataliya Dubosq, president of the association Agir et Soutenir l’Ukraine.
All proceeds from the performances will be donated to the United24 platform’s Rebuild Ukraine program and the MASHA foundation to help war-affected children.
For the dancers of the Ukrainian troupe, playing Don Quixote it is also to seize a joyful and optimistic symbol. “The characteristic of the Ukrainian people is to find the good in every situation and the Don Quixote ballet represents this genetic character. We chose this story which speaks of people with the inner strength to change the negative into the positive, to become stronger. It is not trivial, it is our hope”, confirms Natalia Matsak, prima ballerina of the National Opera of Ukraine.
resistance dance
For many performers of the National Ballet of Ukraine, the passion for dance was suddenly shaken by the atrocities of war. This is the case of Olga Kifyak who lost her father and her older brother.“It’s the dance that saved me, that allows me to resist. Thanks to it, I was able to manage my anxieties, face the misfortunes caused by the war”, says the prima ballerina.
Each of them is affected by the conflict. “Every month I send money to a friend who was my classmate in ballet school and who is now fighting at the front, he was near Bakhmout, he is now in the hospital in Kiev and he needs help”, explains Stanislav Olshansky, principal dancer of the Ukrainian National Opera and the Miami City Ballet.
“Don Quixote” at the Palais des festivals in Cannes, at 8:30 p.m. Thursday July 27, 2023.
Solidarity rates from 40 to 100€ (reduced rates for young people under 26).
It is also possible to make a donation on the website of the association “Chère Ukraine”.