Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu praised the world-class performance of the United Ballet of Ukraine and vowed that Taiwan would continue to stand with Ukraine in its rebuilding process, according to the ministry.
Wu made the remarks on behalf of the government while attending the troupe’s staging of “Giselle” Jan. 5 at Taipei City’s National Theater. The minister was accompanied by Vice Foreign Minister Remus Chen Li-kuo and their wives, the MOFA added.
According to principal dancer Anastasia Bondar, during the onset of the Russia’s invasion, the dancers gathered inside a dugout to rehearse. She recalled the stressful and anxious atmosphere and said that although Ukraine has remained turbulent, the troupe has managed to maintain a routine of weekly performances.
Artistic director Andrii Musoryn added that it is vital to go about life as usual, with the continued shows helping Ukraine’s people feel a semblance of normality despite the ongoing war.
During the curtain call, the performers sang the Ukrainian national anthem in a poignant end to the show. Afterward, Wu expressed his hope that the war would soon be over and said he eagerly anticipated more artistic exchanges between the two sides in the future.
The group is scheduled to perform Jan. 14 at the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, also known as Weiwuying, in the southern city of Kaohsiung before heading to National Taichung Theater in central Taiwan Jan. 20-21. (POC-E)
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from Taiwan Today – Top News