“Like in a nuclear reactor”: Elena Shoptenko recorded a sensual dance at an Austrian nuclear power plant

Ukrainian choreographer, world champion in ballroom dancing Olena Shoptenkowho became a TV presenter on the eve of the war, presented a social video project - a dance in an unusual environment, in the middle of a nuclear power plant.

Elena says that the main idea of ​​the project is to keep moving, despite any difficulties, and maintain mental health with faith in a better future. The dance is dedicated to women who, like Elena, were forced to leave Ukraine because of the big war for the safety of their children and are trying to continue to live actively and educate a new generation of conscious Ukrainians.

- A year of full-scale Russian invasion passes, when every Ukrainian and Ukrainian woman feels like they are in a nuclear reactor, Elena says. - Everyone feels fear and danger: citizens in Ukraine, residents of the temporarily occupied territories, as well as those who were forced to leave the country and worry about their loved ones who were left at home under the threat of missile attacks. That is why we chose such a symbolic location.

The performance was filmed at the nuclear power plant Kernkraftwerk Zwentendorf in Lower Austria. Interestingly, as a result of a referendum in 1978, the population of Austria refused to start the operation of the nuclear power plant after construction was completed.

“It was with the help of dance that I always conveyed emotions that I often cannot express in words, and now it is literally my salvation, an outlet and a way to recover and move on,” Shoptenko admits. - In this video work, using the language of dance, I show my feelings that resonate in the hearts of millions of Ukrainians. A creative video project at a nuclear power plant is a practical embodiment of cultural diplomacy and a reminder to the world of a year since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. During the war, it is very important to take care of yourself and others, to help each other, to show empathy. We are united when, despite the war, we continue to move and develop, experiencing similar emotions. Together with the support of a united European society, Ukrainians will endure all trials, win and become even stronger.

With the support of an Austrian organization, a team of Ukrainians worked on the filming, whose paths crossed in Austria because of the war: videographer Oleksiy Zakharov, assistants Veronika Brailko and Anna Tilnyak.

Earlier wrote how the singer Vera Kekelia saved her marriage during the war.