Ukrainian association protests against staging of Swan Lake in South Africa by Russian ballet company

Members of the Ukrainian Association of South Africa held a peaceful protest on Wednesday outside the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town where the ballet Swan Lake is being staged, ostensibly by the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre.  

The association has condemned South Africa’s cultural cooperation with Russia amidst the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Olga Shmaidenko, a Ukrainian photographer, who was part of the protest, said: “I have a little baby and I am afraid to go home [to Ukraine] because the bombings happen all over, so you don’t know where it’s going to hit.”

In a two-page statement, the Ukrainian Association of South Africa called on South African art and culture institutions to unequivocally condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The association appealed to writers, artists, musicians and other prominent figures to sever all ties with Russian artists until the Russian military forces are withdrawn from Ukraine, Ukrainian borders are restored, and reparations for the human casualties and infrastructural damages are made in full. 

“For 500 days now, Russia has been using military aggression against the sovereign country of Ukraine, threatening the world with a nuclear attack, and increasing hunger and poverty on the African continent, all of which are in violation of the UN Charter, human rights, nuclear safety, and any moral and ethical norms,” the association said.

The association argues that supporting Russian-registered ballet companies while Russian aggression continues is tantamount to financially contributing to the daily bombings of Ukrainian civilians. Furthermore, supporting Russian ballet dancers who remain silent about the military aggression is seen as endorsing the torture, rape and execution of dozens of Ukrainian civilians.

Read more in Daily Maverick: Ex-chair of Russian 2022 Nobel Peace Prize winner Memorial speaks out on the truths behind the war on Ukraine

Despite the ballet company reportedly being vocal of its opposition to the war during its 2022 European tour in Belgium, the Ukrainian association insists that the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre has a long history of cooperating with the Russian government and military. 

While the performance is presented as a product of an Australian-based company, the association claimed that the cast and messaging remained the same as the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre, with renowned performers Irina Kolesnikova and Margarita Avdeeva from the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre.

Ukrainians protest against the staging of the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre's Swan Lake at Artscape Theatre Centre on 12 July 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo: Gallo Images / Brenton Geach)

The Ukrainian Association of South Africa has called for a boycott of the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre's Swan Lake performances in South Africa. (Photo: Gallo Images / Brenton Geach)

Ukrainian protesters take a stand against the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre's performances of Swan Lake in South Africa. (Photo: Gallo Images / Brenton Geach)