As one of dancers, Iurii Kekalo, a soloist at the Hungarian State Opera puts it:
“My name is Kekalo Iurii, I am Ukrainian. My family is now in Poltava, in my home town – a Ukrainian city, the cradle of the Ukrainian language and culture. I want to express my support to the Ukrainian people and defenders of the Armed Forces! You are the best! Stay strong! Everything will be Ukraine!”
Other dancers participating in the photo shoot were: Ellina Pokhodnykh, Ekaterina Tarasova, Olga Skrypchenko, Maksym Kovtun, Vladyslav Melnyk, Evgeniy Lagunov all working in Budapest but are also proud Ukrainian citizens. They all shared their own personal messages which can be seen on the photographer’s Facebook page (see box below).
BBC World News also surprised the session by popping in, filming a video with all the dancers involved, recording their thoughts
about the current situation. Filmed and edited by Colm O'Molloy,
it was shown in live TV on 10 March.
The photographer, Raúl, also organised a
fundraiser by offering photo shoots at a reduced price and then donated the
money to Ukrainian charity organisations.
Raúl added: “My aim with this project was to do what I can to support. The messages of the dancers deserve to be heard…”
He also added that the friendly atmosphere at the photo shoot offered hope to the dancers. He would be happy to continue this project with an exhibition in the foreseeable future but it depends on the dancers’ willingness, as well. He also confirmed that Holker – nyitott műterem gave them the studio for free as an act of support.
Messages from the dancers
