Dancing on the Waves: Kyiv City Ballet Sets Sail with City Cruises York

York’s business community is gearing up to welcome the Kyiv City Ballet company once again, as a diverse range of businesses have joined hands to make the upcoming visit a memorable one. As part of their visit to the city, the performers were invited to board City Cruises York’s River Duchess for an early evening cruise on the River Ouse.

The boat was beautifully decorated in yellow and blue hues, adorned with stunning sunflowers, to welcome the Kyiv City Ballet to York. The vibrant colour scheme perfectly complemented the cheerful and lively nature of the ballet company and set the tone for a joyous celebration of their artistry. The boat’s décor served as a fitting tribute to the talent and dedication of the ballet dancers and promised an unforgettable experience for all those in attendance.

The cruise provided the perfect opportunity for the performers to relax and unwind before their performance, while taking in the stunning views of York from the river. It was a magical evening, with the dancers mingling with guests and enjoying the beautiful scenery. The event was a great success, and a wonderful way to showcase the beauty and culture of both York and the Kyiv City Ballet.

The Kyiv City Ballet found themselves stuck outside of Ukraine after the Russian invasion. Despite the unfavourable circumstances, the company embarked on a tour across Europe and the United States with audiences showing enthusiasm for their message of peace, hope, and resilience. As the conflict rages on, the company intends to continue their tour throughout 2023.

Ivan Kozlov, who currently serves as the General Director, established the Kyiv City Ballet in 2012. Over the course of a decade, the company has expanded to feature 40 dancers, showcased their performances across four continents, and gained recognition as Ukraine’s top ballet company.

Commercial & Marketing Manager at City Cruises, Chris Pegg, said: “We are delighted to have had the opportunity to host the Kyiv City Ballet on our beautiful boats as they arrived in York. We hope that their evening boat trip was as memorable and enjoyable as their upcoming performance at York Theatre Royal promises to be. It was an honour to be a part of their visit to our beautiful city, and we wish them the very best for their performance. We hope to welcome them back on board soon for another unforgettable experience with City Cruises”.

Following their sell-out performance in June 2022, York Theatre Royal are set to welcome the hugely talented company for another special fundraising gala performance this Thursday.