National Opera Soloists on European Tour
Two principal dancers from the Taras Shevchenko National Opera of Ukraine, Natalia Matsak and Serhii Kryvokon, have taken unpaid leave to tour Europe with the United European Ballet's production of Tchaikovsky's 'Swan Lake'. The theater has initiated an official investigation after their names were removed from the company's official roster. This incident highlights the sensitive cultural landscape in Ukraine, where many institutions have severed artistic ties with Russia following the full-scale invasion.
Matsak, a People's Artist of Ukraine, and Kryvokon, a Merited Artist of Ukraine, are leading soloists. Their tour includes performances in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. While their leave lasts until January 26, theater management only learned of the tour through social media, causing significant concern.
Theater's Stance and Response
Representatives of the National Opera confirmed that removing works by Russian composers from the repertoire is a core policy, strictly upheld since the start of the full-scale invasion. Theater spokesperson Petro Chuprina stated that the soloists' participation contradicts this official position. The results of the internal investigation will be announced later.
Upon the artists' return, management will demand an explanation and draw conclusions. Chuprina emphasized that the company views this situation as an insult and sees no possibility for future collaboration with Matsak and Kryvokon. This case echoes a previous incident where a troupe presenting itself as the 'Ballet of Ukraine' performed 'The Nutcracker' in Sweden but was later found to have Russian links.
In a related move, Ukraine's Ministry of Culture has decided to rename the Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine to the National Music Academy of Ukraine, a change set to take effect by the end of 2025.
This situation underscores the heightened tensions within Ukraine's cultural sphere, where the removal of Russian works has become a symbol of the struggle for national identity and cultural independence in the face of ongoing war.