Dancing towards Revolution in Kyiv

The rhythmic hip-hop-like chants of protest exploded just as the final curtain came down on the flower-laden ballet dancers and the musicians who had performed with them. Within seconds, the bright lights of TV crews who had forced their way into the orchestra seats overwhelmed as-yet dim house lights when suddenly – as if on a cue from a cameraman – four white banners poured out of the fourth balcony enveloping the hall below. To ever louder chants of “Handba! Handba! Handba!” (“Shame! Shame! Shame!”), the banners demanded that the National Ballet of Ukraine retain their artistic director Denys Matvienko. The sumptuous Kyiv Opera House exploded in chaos after a stunning performance on April 13, 2013.

Read full publication here