On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. Two ballet dancers, Stanislav Olshanskyi and Alexis Tuttunique, at the time on tour with Dutch prima ballerina Igone de Jongh, were caught off guard by the war and, with the help of Igone and Matthijs Bongertman (Senf Theaterpartners), sought refuge in dance city The Hague.

They called on other dance professionals from Ukraine to join them. Over 60 professionals from different companies have since found each other in The Hague. Together, they formed a new company: The United Ukrainian Ballet Company (UUBC) and in recent months have worked with leading choreographers such as Jiří Kylián and Alexei Ratmansky on various productions. Igone de Jongh is the artistic director of the company which is supported by the United Ukrainian Ballet Foundation (UUBF).

The dancers receive shelter, care and housing in the former The Hague Conservatory, courtesy of the municipality of The Hague and the Salvation Army. The dancers of The United Ukrainian Ballet Company stay and practice in a separate wing of the former Conservatory. This is called the Dutch Centre for Ukrainian Dancers (DCUD). Separate studios are set up here to train and rehearse for performances. Daily training at the centre takes place under the direction of Rinus Sprong and The Dutch Don’t Dance Division.

MISSION OF THE FOUNDATION

#1 KEEP DANCING

To provide the dancers a safe environment in which they can continue their daily lives, continue to train, work on their careers and receive mental and physical support.

#2 KEEP THE UKRAINIAN CULTURE ALIVE

To preserve the Ukrainian dance culture of both creators and productions. Stagnation due to the war could mean an end to a generation of dancers, an end to Ukraine’s special dance and ballet culture with a long tradition that goes back to the ancient culture of folk dancing. We need to keep dancing and continue to make productions.

#3 KEEP THE WAR ON TOP OF MIND

To promote awareness regarding the war, so that we won’t forget the atrocities that are going on in Ukraine and that the war remains top of mind among the general public. The United Ukrainian Ballet Foundation is a temporary project, until the situation is normalised and the dancers can return to Ukraine. Until then, we will have to support Ukrainian dancers and offer a specially developed program – a mix of classic and modern dance and ballet productions – for as long as necessary.

Robert Serry (Chairman)
Jan Zoet (Secretary)
Bart Meuter (Treasurer)
Bessel Kok
Lilian Conçalves – Ho Kang You

And other Kickstart Cultuurfonds Participating financiers