A free ballet class has been organised tonight, on the International Day of Dance, to support the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
Kate Byrne, 30, director and teacher of My Ballet Coach, will lead the session aiming to raise as much money as possible for the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.
According to Byrne, this year the International Day of Dance would be a poignant reminder of all the thousands of fellow dancers affected by the war.
She said: “I hope the sense of community often found among dancers and our shared love of ballet can generate support for those affected by the war.
“Acknowledge the horrors they are living through, particularly on a day that celebrates dance and everything it has to offer.”
Members of the Ukrainian National Ballet have taken to join the military to fight against the Russian invasion.
While Artem Datsyshyn, 43, a leading Ukrainian ballet dancer died on 17 March after his wounds were received on 26 February from Russian artillery fire.
Byrne added: “The professional ballet world is actually very small, and I cannot imagine being in a situation like that, which is just unbearable.”
The Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, is an umbrella agency for charities providing humanitarian aid to those affected by the war.
My Ballet Coach will be hosting a free online ballet class both on Zoom and live-streamed on Instagram through their account @myballetcoach from 18:30-19:30 BST.
Featured image credit: Edward James
