MAXIMILIAN MANN PHOTOGRAPHY
Los Angeles Times 03/2022 

Refugee ballet dancers from Ukraine 



Martin Korol (center) from Ukraine rehearsing with his ballet class at the "Princess Grace Academy" in Monaco. March 18, 2022.
Maria Bondarenko from Nikolaev poses for a portrait at the Dutch National Ballet Academy in Amsterdam. She studied ballet in Kyiv before the war began, describing the fear of going outside at night as it was too dangerous. March 15, 2022.
A city view of Monaco's harbor, with the elite ballet school "Princess Grace Academy" located nearby. March 18, 2022.
Martin Korol poses for a portrait by the sea, not far from the city center in Monaco. The students have little free time; they practice a lot for their dream. Monaco, March 18, 2022.

Seventeen-year-old dancer Martin Korol from Ukraine poses for a portrait in the "Blue Room" of the "Princess Grace Academy," Monaco. Korol left the northeastern city of Kharkiv alone, carrying only a backpack and 50 euros, while his mother stayed behind to care for her aging parents. Photographed on March 18, 2022.



Riding a bicycle is a typical Dutch activity, and the host mother is happy to lend bicycles to the students. Pictured here: Sofia Chycha, 15, from Kyiv. Amsterdam, March 15, 2022.
Sofia Chycha, 15, practicing ballet in Amsterdam. The professional ballet school trains talented young dancers at the highest level, bringing their skills up to the professional standards required by the world’s leading dance companies. Amsterdam, March 15, 2022.
A street in the center of Amsterdam shows support for Ukraine. Amsterdam, March 15, 2022.
Sofia Chycha, 15, poses for a portrait in her new apartment near Amsterdam. She now lives with a Russian host mother in an elegant villa in a suburb of the city. Amsterdam, March 15, 2022.
Sofia Chycha, 15, at the "Dutch National Ballet Academy" in the center of Amsterdam. The academy is regarded as one of the best ballet schools in the world, providing Sofia with an excellent opportunity to develop her talent. Amsterdam, March 15, 2022.
Alisa Garkavenko from Ukraine poses for a portrait at the "Princess Grace Academy" in Monaco. Despite her young age, she has already achieved great success, including winning first place at the Youth America Grand Prix in Italy. Monaco, March 18, 2022.
When Martin Korol arrived at the border to Monaco, he showed border patrol a video of himself dancing and a letter of acceptance to Princess Grace Academy.Monaco, March 18, 2022.
Martin Korol from Ukraine looks out from the ballet school in Monaco, located in a prime spot not far from the harbor. Monaco, March 18, 2022.
Dimitry Sitnitsky, 17, poses for a portrait at the Dutch National Ballet Academy in Amsterdam. March 15, 2022.
Martin Korol from Ukraine hangs a clock. Photographed at the "Princess Grace Academy" in Monaco. March 18, 2022.
Sofia Chycha, left, and Maria Bondarenko, at home after class, talk with their parents in Ukraine every day. Amsterdam, March 15, 2022.
Maria Bondarenko, 18, practices at the "Dutch National Ballet Academy" in Amsterdam. Originally from Nikolaev, Ukraine, she was forced to leave her homeland and has been living in Amsterdam for a few days. Amsterdam, March 15, 2022.
Alisa Garkavenko and Martin Korol, both from Ukraine, first met in Monaco. They have little to no free time, as everything is subordinated to ballet. Monaco, March 18, 2022.




At the beginning of March 2022, a big competition for over 200 young ballet dancers was supposed to take place in Kyiv. Then the brutal war in Ukraine began. The competition had to be cancelled. Instead of ballet, bombs were falling. Young people flee the city and find new and safe homes. Over 80 young Ukrainians, usually between the ages of 12 and 18, were accepted at prestigious ballet schools throughout Europe.

Text: Jessica Gelt
Editor: Jacob Moscovitch






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