Ukrainian Ballet Company Tours America with a Mission Amid Ongoing Conflict at Home

Amid ongoing conflict in their homeland, the Grand Kyiv Ballet is touring America, bringing the beauty of ballet to audiences while raising awareness about the situation in Ukraine. This season, alongside the holiday classic "The Nutcracker," the company will showcase a variety of performances through May 2025.

Before taking the stage in Philadelphia, soloist Diana Stetsenko reflects on her journey. For her, dancing is not just a performance; it’s a way to honor her roots and continue living amidst adversity. “It's [an] opportunity to continue my life,” she shares. “Without thinking about bad things.”

The 'bad things' began nearly three years ago when she awoke to the sound of war erupting in her country. “I woke up at 4:00 am after bombing,” Stetsenko recalled. “I realized war started.” Following this traumatic awakening, she fled Ukraine for Slovakia before joining the Grand Kyiv Ballet as they embarked on their American tour.

Now abroad, they serve as ambassadors for their homeland, reminding audiences of the ongoing struggles faced by their fellow Ukrainians while also fundraising for crucial renovations at the Kyiv State Choreographic College—where many dancers honed their craft and where some students have tragically lost their lives due to the conflict.

“Sometimes it's hard,” Stetsenko admits, but dance provides solace. “When I'm on stage, I don't think about everything. I try to live on stage—and it's so nice.”

In Ukraine, men aged 18 to 60 face restrictions that prevent them from leaving the country due to conscription into military service starting at age 25. This has led the Grand Kyiv Ballet to seek male dancers from other countries.

Zack Tidswell, a dancer from the United Kingdom currently touring with the company, emphasizes Ukrainian ballet's exceptional standards: “Ukrainian ballet has phenomenal standards.” In addition to performing, he opens his home to Ukrainian refugees who have shared invaluable insights about their culture with him: “They taught me a lot about Ukrainian culture and arts.”

Stetsenko believes that each performance represents a cultural frontline for Ukraine: “This is our cultural frontline... It’s an opportunity to show that Ukrainians continue to live and keep moving forward for our country.”

The dancers aim to remind global audiences of Ukraine's ongoing fight for survival and resilience amid hardship. The Grand Kyiv Ballet hopes that by May 2025—when they complete their US tour—peace will return to Ukraine.