Kyiv, Ukraine (AP) — Before the war, Ukraine’s own “Dancing with the Stars” was a beloved and popular television show, dazzling audiences with performances by celebrities and professional dancers. The show is now back with one special episode – this time featuring Ukrainian war heroes like the stars, underscoring the country’s resilience in difficult times.
Many still remember how President Volodymyr Zelensky – an actor at the time – won the dance competition in 2006, the year “Tantsi z zirkamy,” as the show is known in Ukrainian, first debuted.In the new, special episode, the dancers perform with prosthetic limbsshowing their strength in overcoming setbacks. The lineup of participants includes public figures who have since become famous Russia’s all-out war against Ukraine was launched in February 2022.
But like all of modern-day Ukraine, the show – which is part of an international franchise – has faced a host of wartime challenges, including frequent power outages.
All proceeds go to the Superhumans Center, a specialized clinic for the treatment and rehabilitation of war wounded.
A new reality
During a taping last week, dancers twisted, jumped and floated under the glare of lights, some seamlessly integrating their prosthetic limbs into the choreography.
For creative producer Volodymyr Zavadiuk, every part of the show is precious, creating something special in difficult times.
“It’s about our resilience and our future,” says Zavadiuk, who also heads Big Brave Events and the Big Entertainment Shows department at 1+1 Media.
Among the performers was Ruslana Danilkina, a war veteran who lost her leg in combat in 2022 and is now known in Ukraine for her work helping wounded troops adapt to life with prosthetics.
She delivered a passionate performance that focused on reclaiming her femininity after the traumatic injury.
Also back in the show is beloved dancer Dmytro Dikusar, this time as a competition judge. He juggled filming and serving with his platoon on the front lines.
Ukrainian rock musician Yevhen Halych sat in the makeup chair for his song and reflected on his own determination to bring the show back.
“We are filming this project in a country where there is a war. … We may have power outages, we may have air raid sirens, we may have bombings,” he said. “What do I feel? I feel a sincere desire to live a full life, no matter what.”
Challenges in wartime
Producing the special episode of the show was no easy task during wartime. A live broadcast was impossible; a Russian attack could happen at any time. Then there were the technical obstacles: during last week’s recording, a key generator malfunctioned.
When the show airs on Sunday, the public will vote for their favorite.
Danilkina, who was only 18 years old when she lost her leg and who today works at the Superhumans Center, captivated everyone with her passionate performance, artfully integrating her prosthetic limb into her routine.
“Our dance number is about life. It’s about accepting love,” she told The Associated Press after her performance. “Because in reality, when your body is injured, it’s very difficult to love yourself. And it’s even harder to let someone else love you.”
Her injury wasn’t the end of her life, she said, and now she wants to show “thousands of injured boys and girls who are starting their lives again” that it isn’t the end of their lives.
For veteran Ivan Voinov and his wife of three months, Solomiia, the show was more than just a dance performance: It was the second time they danced together since his injury, the first being at their wedding.
Solomiia Voinov smiled shyly and told how she had long tried to convince Ivan that they should dance until he gave in.
“We don’t take our eyes off each other when we dance, and it’s a great bond,” she said. “I’m happy.”
Voinov said he was already planning their next dance: a bachata, a fast, hip-swaying dance style that originated in the Dominican Republic.
“We can keep dancing,” he said. “It means there is a future.”
Associated Press videographer Alex Babenko in Kiev, Ukraine, contributed to this report.
#Ukraines #Dancing #Stars #special #episode #featuring #war #heroes