In times of rupture, art ceases to be merely a form of self-expression — it becomes a refuge, a vessel of memory, and an act of resistance. This is precisely the story of the Ukrainian International Ballet (UIB), a company born not of institutional logic, but of forced displacement, inner resilience, and a profound belief in the transformative power of dance.
The Ukrainian International Ballet Foundation was established in March 2024 by four Ukrainian artists — Kseniia Novikova, Vladyslava Kovalenko, Iryna Khutorianska, and Dmytro Borodai. Its home is The Hague, a city of international law and humanistic values, where displaced Ukrainian dancers were able not only to survive, but also to reimagine themselves through art.
From Displacement to Creative Unity
After the outbreak of the full-scale invasion, the founders of UIB joined the large-scale United Ukrainian Ballet (UUB) project as dancers. The initiative was founded by prima ballerina Igone de Jong in collaboration with Ukrainian artists Stanislav Olshanskyi, Oleksii Tiutiunnyk, and Matthijs Bongertman, and became a landmark cultural refuge for dozens of Ukrainian artists.
It was precisely this experience that revealed a deeper truth: a shared roof is not enough. What is needed is a space in which Ukrainian dancers can become authors of their own stories, preserve their identity, and speak to the world in their own voice.
This is how the Ukrainian International Ballet came into being — not merely as a ballet company, but as a cultural home where art becomes a restorative and mobilizing force for both personal and collective narratives. Through the universal language of dance, UIB preserves Ukrainian cultural heritage, fosters international dialogue, and creates a sense of belonging grounded in humanistic values — empathy, inclusivity, dignity, and solidarity.
The company’s mission is to use ballet as a living art of preservation, cultural exchange, and social connection, transforming beauty into hope and renewal.
Independent24: A Choice of Humanity
The first major project of UIB, Independent24, created with the support of the United Ukrainian Ballet Foundation, became a powerful manifesto of this philosophy. In 2024–2025, the production was presented with great success on tour across cities in the Netherlands and Belgium.
The project is a unique collaboration between Dutch choreographer Rishèl Wieles and Ukrainian choreographer Dmytro Borodai — a dialogue between two cultures united by compassion and humanity.
The first act, the ballet Project Emotions by Dmytro Borodai, guides the audience through the emotional landscape of an inner world. The narrative unfolds around the experiences of Ukrainian veteran Andrii Siromakha, who journeys through trauma, vulnerability, and release. Rich in emotional states, the choreography does more than tell a story — it invites the viewer into an inner dialogue: to let go, to become aware, to heal.
Dmytro Borodai, a native of Tokmak in the Zaporizhzhia region, is one of the most prominent representatives of contemporary Ukrainian choreography. From 2019 to 2022, he worked at the National Opera of Ukraine, later continued his career with the United Ukrainian Ballet, and since 2024 has been a member of the Ukrainian International Ballet.
The second act, the ballet de/het/één by Rishèl Wieles, presents the real stories of ten Ukrainian dancers, interwoven with the image of the modern Netherlands. It is a performance of gratitude, dedicated to the Dutch people for their openness, support, and solidarity.
The project’s culminating message is voiced on stage at the end of the first ballet:
“Let’s be unstoppable!”
These words leave the audience reflecting on freedom, culture, art, independence, and faith — feelings that inspire conscious and meaningful action in life.
Past | Present | Future: Time as Movement
The company’s second large-scale project, Past | Present | Future, is a transdisciplinary ballet triptych created in collaboration with the United Ukrainian Ballet Foundation. It explores the past, present, and future as a living human experience:
- Past, choreographed by Vladyslav Dietiuchenko, immerses the audience in the creative philosophies of Piet Mondrian and Alexandra Exter, juxtaposing geometric rationalism and kinetic expressionism within the dynamics of order and chaos.
- Present, choreographed by Marne van Opstal, explores the nature of the present moment. Two dancers create a living image of the “here and now”, inviting the audience to experience their own presence, freedom of thought, and the connection between body, mind, and soul.
- Future, choreographed by Dmytro Borodai, addresses the cyclical nature of human relationships, social change, and inner transformation. At its center are women living in harmony until dark forces disrupt their unity. Yet even in destruction, something new is born — memory, renewal, or the anticipation of a new cycle.
Past | Present | Future is a profound exploration of philosophical and emotional questions that unite cultures and generations, and a testament to the resilience of Ukrainian culture, made possible through international support.
Beyond the Stage
Today, the Ukrainian International Ballet is participating in Eurovision 2025 in Amsterdam, engaging in charity events in the Netherlands and Germany, developing inclusive projects, and expanding collaboration with Dutch and international artists. The team is currently preparing a new Gala program, and well-known productions will return to the stage in 2026.
The Ukrainian International Ballet extends its sincere gratitude to the Government of the Netherlands, the Dutch people, its partners, sponsors, and everyone who supports the company.
On behalf of the entire team, we wish you a season filled with warmth and light. May the New Year bring new dreams, new connections, and meaningful achievements — and may art continue to remind us of who we are, even when the world attempts to erase it.
