Directors: Vladyslava Kovalenko, Richèl Wieles, Dmytro Borodai
Choreography: Dmytro Borodai, Richèl Wieles
Performers: Ksenia Novikova, Marat Ragimov, Dmytro Borodai, Oryna Purymova, Anastasia Levkut, Vladyslava Kovalenko, Andrii Siromakha, Oleksii Hohidze, Iryna Khutorianska, Dmytro Tkachenko, Yaroslava Zhyvolup
Meet the unique collaboration of Dutch choreographer Richèl Wieles with Ukrainian choreographer Dmytro Borodai in two new ballets about a story of 10 people in the present-day Hague. At a time when the whole world is “cracking” at the seams, drowning from the worst sides of human nature, the choreographers created a performance based on the principles of sensitivity, humanity, and compassion for each other, where the dance calls on the heart and mind to choose “humanity” as the main tool of coexistence in the world.
With the help of choreography, soulful dances, drama, sarcasm, and apt humor, this ballet will guide you through the emotions of your own soul. The performance invites the audience to immerse themselves, sincerely “release” and analyze their own emotions and their impact on everyday life, and get mental relief during the performance. The choreography, saturated with different moods, provokes and directs the viewer to experience a wide range of feelings. Dmytro Borodai hails from the city of Tokmak in the Zaporizhzhya region and is an outstanding representative of Ukrainian choreography. From 2019 to 2022, he worked at the National Opera of Ukraine, and after 2022 he continued his career at the United Ukrainian Ballet.
The Ukrainian International Ballet is a foundation created on the basis of the United Ukrainian Ballet Foundation, which has earned a positive reputation within the Netherlands and during tours to California, Washington DC, London, Liverpool (performed at the opening of Eurovision 2023), Copenhagen, Taipei, and many other places; working with choreographers Jiři Kylián, Sol Leon & Paul Lightfoot, Alexei Ratmansky, Sasha Riva, and Simone Repele, under the guidance of the Dutch ballerina Igone de Jongh, Rinus Sprong, Matthijs Bongertman, and the entire board of the UUBF. Even after the operational closure of the UUBF in March 2024, the foundation continues its noble journey of preserving Ukrainian culture and helping Ukrainian refugee dancers. Thankfully, with the financial and informational support of UUBF, the «INdependence24» project was brought to life.
We are especially proud to feature Andrii Siromakha, a war veteran and Hero of Ukraine, whose participation transcends traditional boundaries and emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in art. His involvement highlights the power of cultural diplomacy and the limitless potential of human spirit.
Q&A Session: Engage directly with the dancers and choreographers after the performance.
Music Collaboration: The event features music by the various talented creators, such as renowned Ukrainian composer Yuri Shepeta, as well as pieces by famous Ukrainian band DakhaBrakha, Ram Dass, Claudia de Breij, Michael Kiwanuka and others.
Delicious Ukrainian bites before the show.
Without our incredible partners, inspiring visionaries, and generous sponsors, this show would neverhave come to life.
We are profoundly grateful to:
Rinus Spong – Director of UUBF
Igone de Jong – world known
Prima-ballerina, Artistic director of the UUBF
Bart Meuters, Bessel Kok – Respected Board of the UUBF
Matthijs Bongertman – SENF, founder of the UUBF
Monique Velders – Operational director UUBF
Jan van Zanen – Mayor of the Hague
Maksym Kononenko – Ambassador of the Ukraine to the Netherlands
Yuliia Malinovska – Cultural Attachee in the Embassy of Ukraine
Shpyg Foundation, Ukraine
VATAHA, the Netherlands,
as well as Annemaayke van der Worp, Amy Growcott, Britt Arp, Maxim Hodak, Elena van der Wall, Pauline van Huijstee, Rob Sjouke and many other amazing people.
Jan Pietersz. Coenstraat 7
2595WP ‘s-Gravenhage
The Netherlands
