Despite constant alarms and large-scale destruction, art continues to live in Velyka Oleksandrivka in the Kherson region.
Here, among damaged buildings and traces of occupation, the “Bagira Plus” contemporary sports choreography club operates — a space where dozens of girls, even if only for a few hours, reclaim their ordinary childhood without war.
The community is still rebuilding after the hostilities, however choreography classes have not stopped. The girls continue to train, prepare new routines and return to performances. For many of them it is not just sport, but a way to take a break from the war.
The “Bagira Plus” club has been operating at the Children’s Creativity Center for 35 years and today unites more than 84 children aged 5 to 17, divided into several age groups.
In 2022, schools, sports halls and cultural institutions in Velyka Oleksandrivka were destroyed, so after the de-occupation of the community classes had to be restored practically from scratch — in various conditions, without a permanent venue and with organizational challenges. For part of the time trainings took place in changed locations until the club once again settled into the center’s premises.
The group’s leader, Tetyana Buzhak, says that despite the difficult conditions, the children have not lost interest in classes.
“We trained in various conditions after the de-occupation, but now we mostly work here. We are very grateful that we were moved here,” the choreographer shares.
Some of the children returned to classes after evacuation or life under occupation, others joined after the community’s liberation.
At training sessions the girls work on basic elements of choreography — stretching, coordination, posture, and movement synchronization.
In the hall you can often hear repeated commands: tucked-in stomach, straight back, control of the feet, correct position of the knees and the crown of the head. These details are spoken through and practiced dozens of times until the movement becomes automatic.
This workload for many children is their first systematic return to sport after long breaks. Some of the students previously practiced rhythmic gymnastics, others started dancing after the war, but they are all united by one reality — training has become a way to cope in an unstable environment.
Among the pupils is Albina Lepska. She has been involved in sport since she was four, beginning with rhythmic gymnastics and later continuing in a dance group. After the occupation she returned to classes without hesitation.
“For me, dance is a way to distract myself from external problems, from everything that is happening around. It helps me rest and keep myself in shape,” says the dancer.
Another pupil, Tetyana Yatsenko, also came to sport in early childhood. She practiced rhythmic gymnastics for years, taking part in contests and competitions in Kakhovka, Mykolaiv and Kherson, as well as at the national level. The break caused by the war did not change her attitude toward her favorite pursuit.
“When we were told that dance was being resumed, it was a great joy. I didn’t even hesitate about whether I would go. I knew I would return. And what else is there to do if not dance?” recalls Tetyana.
Despite the fact that a significant part of the infrastructure in Velyka Oleksandrivka is destroyed, such clubs remain among the few stable spaces for children.
At “Bagira Plus” they not only train, but also prepare for performances and competitions, plan future trips and gradually regain a sense of development and moving forward.
And in this sense the club becomes much more than just a place for classes. It is a space where children learn to live again in an orderly rhythm, interact with one another and gradually return to a reality that includes not only war, but also future performances, the stage and dance.
