The reception centre for Ukrainian refugees in Kijkduin has become a real home for Vladyslav and Veronika. They have made their room truly cosy with simple furniture and meaningful objects speaking of past and present; their stately tomcat Boston evidently likes the place too. The building, formerly an educational consultancy, is welcoming and well equipped, alive with the noise and laughter of children playing. What’s more, it provides some twenty dancers of the disbanded United Ukrainian Ballet with a spacious studio where they can train and rehearse.
United Ukrainian Ballet (UBB), founded by Igone de Jongh and Rinus Sprong (chairman of the Piket Art Prizes Jury in 2014 and 2015), had to be disbanded in March of this year because of lack of funds. In addition, the close-knit group of about sixty dancers in exile had to leave the former building of the Royal Conservatory, now demolished, where they had found temporary accommodation. The group is gradually dispersing; twenty of them, including Veronika and Vladyslav, are still in The Hague, carrying on as best they can and continuing to develop themselves.
‘We must be careful with our dreams’
Vlad played a pioneering role in Ukrainian contemporary dance, working as a dancer and choreographer with Kyiv Modern Ballet and his own n’Era Dance Company. “I was supposed to come to the Netherlands for negotiations about a tour for my dance company,” he recalls, “but everything fell apart because of Covid. And then the war came. I am happy I found an opportunity to showcase my art in the Netherlands. But it isn’t what I wanted, not at this price. That’s why I’ve come to understand that we must be careful with our dreams.” Veronika arrived in the Netherlands first, travelling to Amsterdam with her parents and Boston, the cat. Desperately trying to find a job, she came into contact with Rinus Sprong and through him with Igone de Jongh. After the foundation of United Ukrainian Ballet, she moved to The Hague. “Then I tried to stop my emotions and concentrate on work, work, work.” At the time, UUB almost solely consisted of female dancers, but the company somehow managed to convince the Ukrainian authorities that male dancers were indispensable. Veronika went through a few agonising months, but finally Vladyslav also safely arrived in The Hague.
Finding your own uniqueness
Veronika was always the more classical dancer of the two, working with Kyiv Opera Ballet. The two of them met when Vlad made a choreography for Veronika’s company. It was then that she started to explore contemporary dance. “I had always been afraid that it was already too late for me to really absorb that idiom,” she says, “but I immediately felt at home in it. Classical ballet is very strict. There’s only correct and incorrect. Contemporary dance is so much wider.” Vlad: “We respect classical ballet. It’s fundamental. But contemporary dance allows you to be honest with yourself, to find your own uniqueness, to find a way to develop your real personality.” With a big smile he adds: “I’m proud of Veronika because she’s my most successful pupil. She truly understands what motivates my movements.” Veronika laughs: “I always saw myself as more of a performer, but now I’m starting to think I could be a choreographer as well.”
Second chance
“I think I truly developed my style here in the Netherlands,” Vladyslav says, “and of course that’s related to what happened in our lives. When I came here, I got a second chance. It made me ask myself, who am I?, what do I want to do? You go back to what is essential.” In many respects, these have been rollercoaster years for Veronika and Vladyslav. Taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool in 2023, with Vlad as co-choreographer, was a very special experience, and they look back on the projects they did with Igone de Jongh with pleasure and gratitude. They’re still in contact with Igone and look forward to starting a new project, titled Renaissance, with her in October. Vladyslav made a piece for Stuttgart Ballet, Stand by me, which was premiered in May of this year. The work will have its Dutch premiere at CaDance Festival on 23 May, 2025.
Second home
In the spring of 2023, Veronika and Vladyslav approached Korzo about a charity performance to raise funds for medical aid for Ukraine. Talking about the warm response of Janneke van Stroe, Korzo’s Head of Production, they’re still moved: “She immediately asked ‘what can I do?’.” The evening, titled Light in Darkness, was a success and resulted in a fully equipped ambulance. Korzo has since become a second home for them. “It has an atmosphere of real art. They give you the opportunity to try things, to experiment.” Vlad and Veronika are immensely happy that on 1 March 2025 Korzo will host another edition of Light in Darkness. This time, the proceeds will go to a charity for children. “In this way, art can save lives.” They both agree that it’s no use to sit back and wait for times to change. Vlad: “When you always say ‘this is not the right time,’ you’re not really living.” The first thing they would do if they won the Piket Art Prize in their category, would be to celebrate with a glass of champagne! “We would use the funds effectively, investing in our development, such as education or creating a new piece – take more steps to turn our dreams into reality.”
Read the article here in Dutch.
Text: Anna Beerens
Photos: Dana LaMonda
