The Norwegian Opera & Ballet (Operaen) has welcomed two Russian dancers who have sought refuge in Norway. It expects more from Ukraine or Russia to follow.
Many dancers from Russia and Ukraine have applied for asylum in Norway already
The Norwegian Opera and Ballet has welcomed two Russian dancers who have sought refuge in Norway following the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine. Many dancers from both Russia and Ukraine had already applied for asylum in Norway and the Operaen is expecting more dancers to follow the two Russians.
Ingrid Lorentzen, ballet director at Operaen, spoke to Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) about the humanitarian role that the Opera is playing for these new arrivals. She said the Operaen had a mission to “take care of people, we must take care of artists and fellow human beings. They leave everything they have and come here empty-handed.” Lorentzen added that “at the Opera, they have received help to get clothes and equipment, and the dancers get to practice here.”
Russian ballet performance next week
Lorentzen further added that the Opera was wary of Putin and Russian state-sponsored dance companies. However, she felt that the Operaen had a role to “open the doors for Ukrainians, but also for those who for political reasons have to leave their home country.”
There will be a performance of the Russian ballet “La Bayadère” premiering at the Oslo Opera House next week and Lorentzen was hoping that the two newly arrived dancers may be able to play some part in the performance.
Source : © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayTravel
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