Debra Craine, The Times, 19 February 2024
Inspiration In Motion was delighted to produce a second gala in aid of Ukraine, following the success of the gala Dance for Ukraine held on 19 March 2022.
Bringing together a cast of international ballet stars, this year’s Dance for Ukraine came ahead of the second anniversary of Russia’s illegal invasion and ongoing war. This fundraising gala will raise much needed funds to support young artists and culture in Ukraine, where ballet is centrally important. The gala was held at the London Palladium theatre on 18 February 2024.
The fundraising aims to fund two projects
Providing aspiring dancers with grants towards their training to make sure the reality of war affects them as little as possible.
A new ballet production for Ukrainian National Ballet of Sir Frederick Ashton’s La Fille Mal Gardée. Having this quintessential British ballet join the repertoire of the National Opera House of Ukraine will help lift the spirits of audiences and the artists involved, the same spirit that has emboldened the people of Ukraine during the war.
We welcome donations to support our projects in Ukraine
Or send a cheque payable to Inspiration In Motion to us at Oaklands, Hampton Court Road, East Molesey, KT8 9DA
Artistic and Production Director for the gala is Ivan Putrov, who conceived this second gala and its purpose. Ivan, a Ukrainian born dancer and former star of the Royal Ballet, was one of the joint Artistic Directors for our first gala with Alina Cojocaru, and brings his enthusiasm and artistry to this new venture.
The evening saw former Principal of Bolshoi Ballet and current Principal of Dutch National Ballet, Olga Smirnova, make her first performance on a UK stage since leaving Russia in protest of the invasion at the onset of the war.
Dance for Ukraine also featured stars from The Royal Ballet, Ukrainian National Ballet and other international companies including Marianela Núñez, William Bracewell, Matthew Ball, Emma Hawes and Sangeun Lee.
Alongside Ivan Putrov and soloists of the Ukrainian National Ballet, dancers from Ukraine included Principal Olga Golytsia, Junior Soloist Vsevolod Maievskyi , Principal Denys Cherevychko and Artist of The Royal Ballet Marianna Tsembenhoi. Renowned Ukrainian pianist, Sasha Grynyuk, also performed alongside mezzo-soprano Kseniia Nikolaieva.
