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Before the war, Ukraine’s own “Dancing with the Stars” was a prestigious and popular television show that captivated audiences with performances by celebrities and professional dancers. The show is now back for a special episode – this time with Ukrainian wartime heroes as the stars, highlighting the country’s resilience in tough times.
Many still remember how President Volodymyr Zelensky – who was an actor at the time – won the dance competition in 2006, the year “Tanatsy z zyrkamy” as the show is known in Ukrainian, first debuted.
In the new, special episode, the dancers perform with prosthetic limbs, showcasing their strength in overcoming adversity. The line-up of participants includes public figures who rose to prominence since RussiaFull-scale war on Ukraine was launched in February 2022.
But like present-day Ukraine, the show – which is part of an international franchise – has had to deal with a number of wartime challenges, including frequent power cuts.
All proceeds will be donated to the Superhumans Centre, a specialist clinic for the treatment and rehabilitation of war-injured victims.
a new reality
During a prerecording last week, dancers spun, jumped and slid under flashes of lights, some seamlessly integrating their prosthetic limbs into the choreography.
For creative producer Volodymyr Zavadiuk, every segment of the show is precious, creating something special during difficult times.
“It’s about our resilience and it’s about our future,” said Zavadiuk, who also heads the Big Brave Events and Big Entertainment Shows department at 1+1. media,
Among the demonstrators was Ruslana Danilkina, a war veteran who lost her leg in the war in 2022 and is now famous for dedicating herself to helping wounded soldiers in Ukraine adapt to life with prosthetics.
She gave an emotional performance focused on reclaiming her womanhood after a traumatic injury.
Beloved dancer Dmytro Dikussar is also back on the show as a competition judge this time. He took up filming and serving with his platoon on the front lines.
Ukrainian rock musician Yevhen Halych sat in the makeup chair before his number and reflected on his determination to bring the show back.
He said, “We are filming this project in a country where there is a war going on. … We could have power cuts, we could have air alerts, it could be bombings.” “What do I feel? I feel a true desire to live a full life, no matter what.”
wartime challenges
Producing special episodes of a show during a time of war is no easy task. Live broadcasting was impossible – a Russian attack could happen at any time. Then came the technical hiccups: during last week’s recording, a key generator malfunctioned.
When the show airs on Sunday, viewers will vote for their favourites.
Danilkina, who was only 18 when she lost her leg and who today works at the Superhumans Centre, enthralled everyone with her spirited performance, her prosthetic limb artfully incorporated into her routine.
“Our dance number is about life. It’s about accepting love,” she told The Associated Press after her performance. “Because really, when your body is injured, it’s very difficult to love yourself. And it’s even more difficult to allow someone else to love you.”
Her injury was not the end of her life, she said, and now she wants to show “thousands of injured boys and girls who are restarting their lives” that it is not the end of them.
For veteran Ivan Voinov and his wife of three months, Solomiya, the show was more than just a dance performance: It was the second time since his injury they had danced together, the first time being at their wedding.
Solomiya Voinov, smiling shyly, told how she had tried for a long time to persuade Ivan that they should dance until he gave in.
“We don’t take our eyes off each other while dancing and it’s a great connection,” she said. “I am happy.”
Voinov said he was already planning his next dance – a bachata, a fast-paced, hip-shaking style of dance that originated in Dominican Republic,
“We will be able to keep dancing,” he said. “It means there is a future.”