The Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris opens its doors to the Kiev City Ballet. The troupe of Ukrainian dancers were on tour in France when the war broke out and the artists expressed their wish to remain in Paris, in safety. The thirty-seven dancers therefore found refuge in the French capital, to rehearse and continue their performances across France. This reception, nights at the hotel and residence at the Châtelet, is coordinated by the city of Paris and the management of the theatre.
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Their blue eyes are red with sadness. The young Ukrainian dancers observe the theater, its gilding and its hundreds of red seats. Here is now their home. Alexander and Daniil are in their twenties, they are among the great hopes of Kiev City Ballet. The stage is now the only place where their anxieties are silenced. “Before the music starts, all our thoughts are on Ukrainethey confide, We constantly think about it. But when the performance starts, we take on our role as artists, as professionals, and we focus on the dance.”
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The director of the ballet, Ivan Kozlov, listens to them with emotion. He watches over his young dancers like a father since their parents and all their relatives are detained in Ukraine.
“We are very lucky to be here, under the peaceful sky of Paris. And we think of our families in Ukraine, who are fighting. Here, we have the freedom. The freedom to continue our artistic performances.”
Ivan Kozlovat franceinfo
As the bombings continue to disfigure his country, Ekaterina Kozlovaassociate director of Kiev City Ballet, sees dance as a form of resistance. “At the moment we are sort of the protectors of the Ukrainian balletshe believes. “For us, Ukrainian dance carries a singular beauty. Even if our art is silent, we can use the stage to share our love, our emotions. We are very lucky to be able to use this stage as a platform, as a tribune .”
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A platform that is all the more important as Ukrainian culture is in danger. This is what Victoria Gulenko, cultural adviser at the Embassy of Ukraine, wishes to recall. She is in permanent contact with the artists who have remained in the country. “They are forced to leave all their works behind and leave, she describes. It is quite possible that there are cultural losses.”
“Today all the artists are hiding in their basements because it is now very dangerous to stay in the country.”
Victoria Gulenkoat franceinfo
As for the thirty-seven dancers of the Kiev City Ballet, they will be able to stay as long as necessary at the Châtelet, assures the management of the theater like the City of Paris. According to Carine Rolland, Culture Assistant at the Paris City Hall, “discussions are underway with several Parisian theaters to prepare for the possible reception of other Ukrainian artists”. The Châtelet has also shaken up its programming to organize a show in support of the Ukrainian people on Tuesday March 8, with dancers from the Kiev City Ballet. All proceeds from the ticket office will be donated to Acted and La Croix Rouge. The troupe will then perform in Nantes and Tours.