ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Kyiv Ballet Rehearsals Amid Air Raids Contrast with Kennedy Center Closure

other · 2026-09-15

During one of the war's most severe phases, Alexei Ratmansky and his spouse Tatiana visited Kyiv to collaborate with the Ukrainian National Ballet, rehearsing in between trips to bomb shelters. In a related development, the Kennedy Center board decided to close the venue indefinitely after a phone conversation with the President; a board member described the call to CNN using language deemed inappropriate for publication. The resolution mentions a "certain fiscal collapse within weeks." In Japan, out of 77,000 temples, 17,000 lack a resident priest, raising concerns about the preservation of these sacred sites. Meanwhile, Josh Goldblum explored the challenges museums face in conveying complexity. Washington's theaters are collaborating to build their 2026–27 season by sharing productions. Lastly, as Burning Man celebrates its 40th anniversary, its attendees are aging, with 40% over 40 last year and only 10% in their twenties, highlighting a demographic issue for the counterculture.

Key facts

  • Alexei Ratmansky and his wife Tatiana went to Kyiv to make ballets with the Ukrainian National Ballet during one of the worst stretches of the war.
  • They rehearsed between runs to the bomb shelter.
  • The Kennedy Center board voted to shut the building indefinitely after a phone call from the President.
  • One board member described the call to CNN in terms that cannot be printed.
  • The resolution cites "certain fiscal collapse within weeks."
  • Japan has 77,000 temples, and 17,000 of them no longer have a resident priest.
  • Josh Goldblum wrote about why museums increasingly have difficulty presenting complexity.
  • Washington's theatres assembled their 2026–27 season partly by sharing productions across companies.
  • Burning Man is 40 years old; last year 40% of attendees were over 40 and 10% were in their twenties.

Entities

Artists

  • Alexei Ratmansky
  • Tatiana Ratmansky
  • Josh Goldblum

Institutions

  • Ukrainian National Ballet
  • The New York Times
  • The Kennedy Center
  • CNN
  • The New Republic
  • Washington Post
  • Deutsche Welle
  • Washington City Paper
  • The Guardian
  • Burning Man

Locations

  • Kyiv
  • Ukraine
  • Japan
  • Washington
  • United States

Sources

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