Hot Coffee with Oleksandr Stoianov, Artistic Director of Grand Kyiv Ballet
Ballet and its enduring beauty transcends pain and suffering. Watching Grand Kyiv Ballet performance of Giselle a few weeks ago at the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center I was once again reminded that sublimity of these measured, trained, classical movements lives on. Grand Kyiv Ballet has an emotional story behind it as its Principal Dancers Kateryna Kukhar and Oleksandr Stoianov had to flee Ukraine with their young family and now reside in Seattle, frequently going on the road to globally showcase Ukrainian talent. Grand Kyiv Ballet is now on tour in the U.S., Kateryna Kukhar performs her principal part with a touching mastery and so does the rest of the troupe. Artistic director of the Ballet, Oleksandr Stoianov responded to several questions.
Nina: Imagine you are in your favorite coffee or tea spot. Where is it? What are you drinking? What are the three things you see right now?
Oleksandr Stoianov: I'm not a big coffee drinker, but my wife Yes! Closing her eyes, she imagined Italy, the city of Venice, St. Mark's Square. Double espresso with cream and a small delicious cake with strawberries.
Oleksandr Stoianov, photo courtesy of Grand Kyiv Ballet
Nina: Please tell me more about Giselle, a ballet you are currently presenting in New York. What made you choose this specific work to be produced by Grand Kyiv Ballet?
Oleksandr: Two things : - Katerina Kukhar is the best performer of the role of Giselle in Ukraine. She touches the hearts of every viewer who comes to her performance. - and the relevance of this performance for all Ukrainians and Ukraine. At the end of this performance, according to the plot, dawn comes and everything negative, bad and terrible goes away. This is very symbolic for all of us.
People's Artist of Ukraine Kateryna Kukhar. Photo credit: Ksenia Orlova
Nina: As Ukrainians who are also dancing professionals, how do you find strength to continue amidst all the pain and turmoil your country is going through?
Oleksandr: We feel all the pain that is now in Ukraine. Even when Katerina is on tour, she receives notifications about all air attacks on her phone, since her parents are in Ukraine. Each of our artists has many friends and relatives now in Ukraine. And we pray to God that this genocide will end soon. Since missiles almost every day hit residential buildings throughout Ukraine.
People's Artists of Ukraine Kateryna Kukhar and Oleksandr Stoyanov. Photo credit: Ksenia Orlova
Nina: As you are life partners and parents, how do you find a balance between personal and professional relationships? How do you make decisions that reflect nest choices for your career and family?
Oleksand: We have been spending 24 hours a day together for over 15 years. Of course, from birth our children got used to the fact that their parents were not at home. 3 months after Timur was born, Katya and I flew off on tour to Italy. It was the same with Nastya. Children of artists. But we tried to give them maximum care. They were never alone. Our parents and nannies lived with us. But when Covid started, we took the children out of town and were able to live a full life. Both we and the children were happy.
Nina: It has just been two-year anniversary since the start of Russo-Ukrainian war. What do you think about the future of this bloody conflict? Do you see there is an end in sight or it is going to turn into a positional or partisan war?
Слава Україні!
Oleksandr:We all hope that this war will end soon. Ukraine and the entire civilized world will win. Героям Слава!
People's Artists of Ukraine Kateryna Kukhar and Oleksandr Stoyanov. Photo credit: Ksenia Orlova