General sales start on Friday, March 27th! Prestigious National Ballet of Ukraine visits Japan this summer. A performance where you can enjoy spectacular scenes from famous ballets all at once. Suitable for ages 4 and up.

The popular performance that stages only the most famous scenes of ballet in a highlight format, the National Ballet of Ukraine (formerly Kiev Ballet) 'Special Selection 2026', will be held across Japan from July 23 to August 11, 2026. Tickets go on general sale from Friday, March 27, 2025.

The National Ballet of Ukraine, based in the ancient cultural capital of Kyiv, is a prestigious ballet company inheriting the traditions of a theater with over 150 years of history. This performance will present popular classical ballet works in a gala format, offering a luxurious program where you can enjoy numerous spectacular famous scenes all at once. The repertoire includes famous scenes from masterpieces representing classical ballet, such as 'Le Corsaire' with its dynamic dance, the world-renowned 'The Dying Swan', the fantastical 'La Sylphide', and the exotic 'La Bayadère'. Furthermore, 'The Poem of the Forest', a 'phantom masterpiece' inspired by Ukraine, which is rarely performed in Japan, will also be presented.

Performers include Kravchenko, who captivates audiences with her radiant beauty and solid technique; Sukharlov, a powerful principal; Mikhlukha, who draws attention with her fresh performances; and elite soloists selected by Artistic Director Yoshihiro Terada. They will deliver the full charm of ballet with dynamic leaps, advanced techniques, and expressiveness born from breathtakingly beautiful bodies.

This performance is open to ages 4 and up. It is also popular as an authentic ballet performance that families can enjoy during summer vacation. Please immerse yourself in the glamorous world of famous ballets and enjoy a memorable and moving summer moment.

National Ballet of Ukraine (formerly Kiev Ballet) 'Special Selection 2026'

Performance Dates: July 23 (Thu) - August 11 (Tue/Holiday), 2026. Total 14 performances. ■ Performance Locations: Tokyo, Kanagawa, Aichi, Osaka, Hyogo, Saitama, Chiba, Nagano, Miyagi, Fukushima, Shizuoka, and others. ■ Main Venues: Tokyo International Forum (C), NHK Osaka Hall, Aichi Arts Center, Honokuni Toyohashi Arts Theater PLAT, Sun City Koshigaya Civic Hall, Chiba Civic Hall, Kamakura Arts Hall, etc. ■ Scheduled Repertoire: Excerpts from 'Le Corsaire', 'La Bayadère', 'The Poem of the Forest', 'La Sylphide', 'Gopak', 'The Dying Swan', and other selected pieces. ■ Scheduled Performers: A. Shevchenko, I. Kravchenko, K. Mikhlukha, M. Sukharlov, D. Pastukhov, and others. ■ Ticket Prices: All seats reserved. General: ¥8,000 or ¥7,500 (depending on location). ■ Other: *Performance uses specially recorded music. *Ages 4 and up admitted. ■ Ticket Sales: General Sale: Friday, March 27, 2025. ■ Performance Details: https://www.koransha.com/ballet/ukraine_ballet/specialselection/ ■ Inquiries/Applications: 050-3776-6184 Koransha Ticket Center (Mon-Fri 12:00-15:00 / Closed Sat, Sun, Holidays)

≪ Soloists ≫ Anastasia Shevchenko (Principal), Ilona Kravchenko (Principal), Alexandra Panchenko (First Soloist), Katerina Mikhlukha (First Soloist), Nikita Sukharlov (Principal), Daniil Pastukhov (First Soloist)

National Ballet of Ukraine (formerly Kiev Ballet): Based in the capital city of Kyiv, this is Ukraine's representative ballet company. It boasts a history of over 150 years and is based at the National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater of Ukraine, which, along with the Bolshoi Theatre and Mariinsky Theatre, was considered one of the three major theaters in the former Soviet Union. It has a wide repertoire ranging from classical masterpieces to contemporary works and pieces unique to Ukraine, and has produced many world-class star dancers who lead the ballet world. It is also active in international performances, holding over 400 performances across Japan since its first visit in 1972. Even amidst the difficult circumstances following the 2022 invasion, under the artistic direction of Yoshihiro Terada, the first Japanese person to be appointed artistic director of a national theater in Ukraine, the company is actively enriching its repertoire and new activities, continuing to evolve.

*Regarding the ballet company's notation: With the generalization of the notation 'Kyiv' for the Ukrainian capital, the performance name 'Kiev Ballet', which has been familiar for about half a century since its first visit to Japan (1972), was changed to 'National Ballet of Ukraine' in 2022. *Notice: Similar titled performances may be touring Japan at the same time; please note that this performance is by the 'National Ballet of Ukraine' and is different. *Latest information will be announced on Koransha's website, X (formerly Twitter), official LINE, and email newsletter. ■ Official HP: https://www.koransha.com/ ■ Koransha Official LINE: https://lin.ee/y47xNQD ■ Ballet X (formerly Twitter): https:...