‘Neglecting our pain’: Ukrainian fury at Russian ballerina coming to Korea

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‘Neglecting our pain’: Ukrainian fury at Russian ballerina coming to Korea

Ballet dancer Svetlana Zakharova performs during a gala concert of the ArtMasters 2023 Championship of Creative Competencies on the New Stage of the Bolshoi Theatre in Russia. [JOONGANG PHOTO]

Ballet dancer Svetlana Zakharova performs during a gala concert of the ArtMasters 2023 Championship of Creative Competencies on the New Stage of the Bolshoi Theatre in Russia. [JOONGANG PHOTO]

The Ukrainian Embassy in Seoul protested against a scheduled performance of a Kremlin-friendly Russian ballerina in Korea, calling it “an act of justifying Russian invasion of Ukraine.”
 
According to a statement released Monday, the embassy cannot “tolerate the act of presenting performers of the encroaching state which validates the unrighteous Russian invasion and neglects the pain of Ukrainians.”
 
The 44-year-old Russian ballerina, Svetlana Zakharova, is set to stage a ballet performance with the Bolshoi Ballet next month at the Opera House of Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul.
 
Zakharova has been showing her political alignment with Russian President Vladimir Putin by serving as a member of the presidential Council for Arts and Culture. She also supported the Russian annexation of Crimea.
 
Although the embassy said it respects inclusivity and cultural exchanges between countries, it urged Korea to halt cultural cooperation and exchanges with figures affiliated with the Russian government committing crimes.
 
The performance “Modanse” will comprise two single-act plays: “Come un Respiro” and “Gabrielle Chanel.” Zakharova will perform in both acts.
 
The ballerina was born in Ukraine and holds Russian citizenship. She was awarded the Benois de la Danse — one of the most prestigious ballet awards — twice.  
 
“The performance was initially arranged four to five years ago and delayed because of the Covid-19 pandemic,” said the presenting company that organized Bolshoi Ballet’s tour in Seoul. “The performances are highly artistic and it could be Zakharova’s last performance in Korea considering her age.”
 
The company added it has not yet heard directly from the Ukraine Embassy or related institutions.
 
“The performance has been propelled by the private sector entities,” an official from Seoul’s Foreign Ministry commented.  

BY LEE SOO-JUNG [[email protected]]
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