The National Ballet Theatre of Ukraine (formerly Kyiv Ballet) is bringing "Special Selection 2026" to Japan this summer, a gala-format program showcasing highlights from beloved classical ballet works. The tour runs from July 23 (Thursday) to August 11 (Tuesday, public holiday), 2026, with a total of 14 performances at venues across the country. General ticket sales began on March 27 (Friday).
Based in Kyiv, the cultural capital of Ukraine, the company carries on a theatrical tradition spanning more than 150 years. Alongside the Bolshoi and Mariinsky theatres, its home stage — the National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre of Ukraine — was regarded as one of the three great theatres of the former Soviet Union. "Special Selection 2026" gathers iconic scenes from multiple classical ballets into a single evening, giving audiences a generous sample of the repertoire in one sitting.
The program includes highlights from "Le Corsaire," celebrated for its dynamic dancing; the universally known "The Dying Swan"; the ethereal "La Sylphide"; the exotic "La Bayadère"; the energetic "Gopak"; and "Song of the Forest" (Lisova Pisnya), a Ukrainian masterpiece that rarely reaches Japanese stages.
Featured soloists, personally selected by Artistic Director Yoshihiro Terada, include principals A. Shevchenko, I. Kravchenko, and N. Sukharkov, as well as first soloists A. Panchenko, K. Mykrukha, and D. Pastyuk. Their powerful leaps, refined technique, and deeply expressive artistry bring the full splendor of classical ballet to life.
Performing Soloists
Anastasia Shevchenko (Principal)
Ilona Kravchenko (Principal)
Oleksandra Panchenko (First Soloist)
Kateryna Mykrukha (First Soloist)
Nikita Sukharkov (Principal)
Daniil Pastyuk (First Soloist)
Performance Overview
The National Ballet Theatre of Ukraine (formerly Kyiv Ballet) "Special Selection 2026"
Dates: July 23 (Thursday) – August 11 (Tuesday, public holiday), 2026 / 14 performances total
Venues (selected):
Tokyo International Forum (Hall C), NHK Osaka Hall, Aichi Prefectural Art Theater,穂の国とよはし芸術劇場PLAT, Suncity Koshigaya Civic Hall, Chiba Civic Hall, Kamakura Arts Center, and more
Prefectures: Tokyo, Kanagawa, Aichi, Osaka, Hyogo, Saitama, Chiba, Nagano, Miyagi, Fukushima, Shizuoka, and others
Program (planned):
Highlights from "Le Corsaire," "La Bayadère," "Song of the Forest," "La Sylphide," "Gopak," "The Dying Swan," and more
Tickets: Reserved seating — ¥8,000 or ¥7,500 (varies by venue)
Age requirement: Ages 4 and above
Music: Special studio recording
Ticket information: https://www.koransha.com/ballet/ukraine_ballet/specialselection/
Inquiries: Koransha Ticket Center 050-3776-6184 (Monday–Friday 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM / Closed on weekends and public holidays)
The performances are open to children aged 4 and above, making this an appealing option for families looking to experience authentic ballet during the summer holidays.
