International ballet stars will take part in a charity gala in London later this month to raise money for people in Ukraine.
Dance for Ukraine will feature the most prominent Russian ballerina outside Russia along with artists from the Royal Ballet, the English National Ballet and the Paris Opera Ballet. Proceeds from the event will go to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Ukraine humanitarian appeal.
The gala is being spearheaded by the Ukrainian ballet star Ivan Putrov and the Romanian ballerina Alina Cojocaru, who trained together in Kyiv before joining the Royal Ballet.
Putrov said: “The gala is about taking a stand for human values. Our unity strengthens the message. Everyone’s participation will help someone just like them who found themselves in dire circumstances due to violence of war.
“Dance, music and art move the world, not violence. Since we, the artists, possess the gift – we must use it.”
Among the ballet stars taking part are the acclaimed Russian ballerina Natalia Osipova and Katja Khaniukova, who fled Kyiv during fighting in 2014 to join the English National Ballet.
All those involved in the gala are donating their services, and the English National Opera has waived its fee for the London Coliseum, where it will be held.
A number of fundraising events for Ukraine have been organised by artists and performers. More than 200 Ukrainian artists have created a collection of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to be sold with the aim of raising at least $1m (£760,000) for people affected by the conflict.
Some auction houses and galleries have also announced fundraising sales and events.
Cojocaru said: “Mere words can offer little in the face of such suffering and the loss of innocent human lives. Art, love and humanity have the power to inspire and even to heal. In this spirit we will unite to dance and offer what help we can.”
