Past | Present | Future in Nijmegen

On 28 June 2025, Ukrainian International Ballet performed Past | Present |  Future at the Stadsschouwburg Nijmegen, one of the city’s major theatres, with an auditorium of nearly 800 seats. The evening was completely sold out, creating a powerful sense of shared attention and presence in the room.

The performance took place within the De Laatste Dans programme and was part of the final week of performances before the theatre closed for renovation. Being invited to perform during this concluding chapter of the theatre’s season felt like a true honour and added special weight to the evening.

The event was made possible thanks to the support of the cultural organisation Nijmegen 4 Ukraine, whose commitment and involvement helped bring this night to life. The evening was warmly hosted by Tasha Branches, who guided the audience through the programme with care and openness.

The audience in Nijmegen received the performance with remarkable warmth. The connection was tangible, and the response stayed with us long after the final applause.

Alongside the performance, an informational display was presented, dedicated to Ukrainian artists – their work, international exhibitions, and the presence of the Ukrainian voices in the global art scene. What stayed with us was a small but telling moment: when it was time to pack up and leave, people did not want to go. Conversations continued, visitors lingered by the exhibition, reading, asking questions, and taking their time. We were already preparing to depart, while the audience was still fully present, unhurried, engaged.

It was one of those moments that quietly says everything.

We left Nijmegen with deep gratitude – to the audience, to our partners, and to the Stadsschouwburg –  and with the feeling that being part of this final week before renovation was not only a performance, but a shared moment of attention, exchange, and connection.