On the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago, Illinois, dancers from the Kyiv Metropolis Ballet have extra than simply choreography on their minds. A lot of the performers' households stay in Ukraine because the battle there rages on.
"I am fortunate to listen to the voice of my mom, solely by telephone, however I hope the whole lot can be okay," mentioned dancer Maryna Apanasenko.
Sasha Moroz, who can also be a dancer, shared comparable sentiments.
"I have been very scared," he mentioned of his household, who nonetheless is in Kyiv. He added that he missed his sister's wedding ceremony in individual and needed to attend through video chat.
Apanasenko and Moroz are among the many 35 dancers with the Kyiv Metropolis Ballet. The dance firm left Ukraine in February to carry out in Paris. Director Ivan Kozlov mentioned they had been solely presupposed to be gone for 3 weeks, however that Russia invaded Ukraine the day after they left.
"We awakened and realized that our nation is beneath assault," Kozlov mentioned.
To maintain them protected, Paris granted the dancers a residency permitting them to proceed to journey, launching their first ever U.S. tour that spanned 15 reveals. Funded by a Chicago-based basis, the tour featured the traditional "Swan Lake" and a brand new work choreographed by Kozlov after the battle started referred to as "Tribute to Peace."
Moroz mentioned their performances have been obtained "completely good" by American audiences. Apanasenko agreed, saying that "the language of dance is worldwide."
Kozlov mentioned the corporate is "doing [their] finest" to honor their nation on the stage.
"We really feel sorry that we can't be in two locations on the identical time," he mentioned. "We signify our nation. We're making an attempt to point out how courageous we're, how sturdy we're."
Apanasenko mentioned maintaining that aim in thoughts helps her to maintain going.
"I really feel stronger once I dance to point out the world our gentle, our power," she mentioned. "It is our place to combat as a result of our process is to avoid wasting Ukrainian tradition as a result of tradition is the nation and Ukraine has nice historical past."