The War Museum hosted a screening of the documentary film «Dance with Fire», created by the Memory Platform «Memorial» in memory of ballet artist and warrior Vadym Khlupianets, who gave his life in battle for Ukraine.
Vadym, a native of Donetsk, was forced to leave his hometown after the beginning of russian aggression in 2014. His family moved to the Zhytomyr region, while Vadym built his life in the capital, where he became an artist of the Kyiv National Academic Operetta Theatre. However, after the start of the full-scale russian invasion in 2022, he exchanged the stage and spotlights for trenches and a rifle. He first joined the Territorial Defence Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and later the «Freedom Legion» of the National Guard of Ukraine. On 15 November 2022, Senior Soldier Vadym Khlupianets «Magnum» was killed by a sniper’s bullet in battle near Bakhmut at the age of 26.
Before the screening, remarks were delivered by Haine Avakian, co-founder of the Memory Platform «Memorial», and Diana Zhvinklis, the film’s author. They spoke about the circumstances surrounding the creation of the film, which through the memories of people close to Vadym reveals the story of his life and struggle.
Vadym’s path to the stage began with his studies at the Kyiv Choreographic College. The event was attended by the college’s director Dmytro Kaihorodov and his colleagues. Mr Kaihorodov’s grandson, artist of the National Opera of Ukraine Mykyta Kaihorodov, was a close friend of Vadym Khlupianets and shared his memories of him in the film. Deputy Director of the college Olena Bystrova spoke about how teachers and students today preserve the memory of their graduate.
The moderator of the event, Museum guide Alla Hrushetska, emphasized the contribution of the Kyiv National Academic Operetta Theatre to honouring Vadym’s memory during the event. The theatre administration provided the photo artwork «Applause that Hurts» from the audiovisual project «Lullaby. In the Embrace of War» (idea author – Director General and Artistic Director of the theatre Bohdan Strutynskyi; author and photographer – Mariana Bodnar). The photograph depicts Vadym Khlupianets’s mother Olena standing beside his portrait. Thus, although the artist’s parents could not attend the event, the audience felt the love they had passed on to their son.
The Museum sincerely thanks the Memory Platform «Memorial», the Kyiv National Academic Operetta Theatre, and the Kyiv Choreographic College for their assistance in organizing the event.
Eternal honour to the Hero!
