Ukrainian dancers bring 'The Snow Queen' ballet to Wichita
Nov 12, 2024
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) -- International dancers take the stage in Wichita this week. For one night only, the Grand Kyiv Ballet will perform "The Snow Queen" at the Orpheum Theatre as part of its world premiere tour.
Nearly all the dancers are from Ukraine. The Grand Kyiv Ballet helped nearly 200 dancers and ballet students find safety after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Blinken is heading to Europe for urgent talks on Ukraine after Trump’s election
"The war deeply impacted all Ukrainian artists, and not just Ukrainian artists but all Ukrainians," Oleksandr Stoianov, Grand Kyiv Ballet founder, said. "For us, for now, it's really important to create new tours here in the United States because artist without stage is not artist."
The ballet company also held charity galas to raise money for Ukraine.
"Russia can destroy our city, our buildings, but she can't destroy our art," Stoianov said. "We will rebuild our country, and we will rebuild our art."
He says "The Snow Queen" is a beautiful show, rivaling "The Nutcracker," and it is perfect for the holiday season. It is based on Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale.
Cirque Dreams Holidaze Ticket Giveaway
You can see it on Thursday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. at the Orpheum Theatre, 200 N. Broadway. Tickets range from $29 to $69. Visit WichitaOrpheum.com to learn more and to buy tickets.