Ukrainian Protests Force Mariinsky Ballet Cancellation in NYC

Due to Ukrainian protests in New York, the participation of ballet dancers from Russia's Mariinsky Theater in a gala concert celebrating the 25th anniversary of the prestigious American Youth Grand Prix ballet competition was canceled, thanks to the efforts of the Consulate General of Ukraine in New York and the Ukrainian community.

Ukrainian Protests Lead to Cancellation of Mariinsky Ballet Performance in New York

On April 19, 2023, a gala concert scheduled to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the American Youth Grand Prix (AYGP) ballet competition in New York City was canceled due to protests organized by the Ukrainian community. The event, which was to feature performances by ballet dancers from the renowned Mariinsky Theater in Saint Petersburg, Russia, was scrapped following a diplomatic intervention by the Ukrainian Consulate General in New York.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning the Mariinsky Theater's involvement in the AYGP event, emphasizing that it was an attempt by Russia to exploit an international cultural platform for propaganda purposes. The Ministry lauded the efforts of the Ukrainian community and the Consulate General for raising awareness about the ongoing war in Ukraine and the atrocities committed by the Russian regime.

Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova expressed her gratitude to the organizers of the AYGP for canceling the Mariinsky Theater's performance, which she attributed to the protests held by Ukrainians outside the David H. Koch Ballet Theater. She shared photographs of the protests on her official social media accounts, highlighting the unity and determination of the Ukrainian diaspora in opposing Russian aggression.

The protest, which took place in the form of a performance, featured Ukrainian women adorned in bloodied ballet tutus, symbolizing the human cost of the war in Ukraine. Other participants carried placards emblazoned with images of Ukrainian artists slain by Russian forces and photographs of Russian ballerinas who had posed for photo shoots with Russian soldiers.

The Mariinsky Theater, under the direction of conductor Valery Gergiev, a staunch supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has come under fire for its close ties to the Kremlin. Earlier in 2023, at the behest of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Mariinsky Theater's tour of South Korea was canceled due to similar protests.

The Ukrainian community's successful campaign against the Mariinsky Theater's performance in New York serves as a testament to the unwavering resilience and determination of the Ukrainian people in the face of adversity. It also demonstrates the international community's growing intolerance for Russia's attempts to whitewash its aggression through cultural diplomacy.