SPOKANE, Wash. — A new ballet production, ‘The Snow Queen’ will debut at the First Interstate Center for the Arts on Friday evening.
The Grand Kyiv Ballet, an internationally renowned company, brings its adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved fairy tale to Spokane as part of a global tour that spans Europe, Asia, Australia, and now the U.S.
For many of the company’s dancers, the tour is bittersweet. Based in Ukraine, a country devastated by war for over two years, they leave behind family and friends—often unsure of what they’ll return to.
“A lot of our dancers have relatives, have friends in Ukraine. Somebody who already died. Somebody who is still living in Ukraine. Somebody is already in another country,” said Alex Stoianov, artistic director of the Grand Kyiv Ballet.
Stoianov recounted the challenges faced by ballet students in Ukraine, where classes are frequently interrupted by air raid sirens. He said students seek safety in basements five to seven times a day.
Despite the hardships, Stoianov said the ballet company remains committed to showcasing Ukrainian culture and artistry worldwide. “Of course, everyone knows about Ukraine for the war, but we want to show our country’s beautiful side. We have a very strong and professional ballet.”
‘The Snow Queen’ is a fairy tale about the battle between good and evil, highlighting themes of love and friendship.
The production features a cast of characters, including Gerda, Kai, forest fairies, trolls, and a humorous snowman. The performance is set to music by Edvard Grieg, Jules Massenet, Mozart, and Vivaldi.
The ballet opens Friday, December 13 at 7 p.m. Stoianov encourages audiences to attend, noting that simply supporting the arts can make a difference for his home country.
Tickets for ‘The Snow Queen’ are available through the First Interstate Center for the Arts. You can find more information here.
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