RELEVÈ — A Collaboration Between KHUSTYNA and Olga Morozenko Celebrating Ukrainian Ballet
KHUSTYNA continues its inspired mission to support and promote Ukrainian art. The new silk scarf collection Relevé, created in collaboration with Ukrainian ballet ambassador Olga Morozenko, serves as an elegy to the history of ballet in Ukraine.
KHUSTYNA is committed not only to crafting exquisite silk gifts but also to promoting Ukrainian art both domestically and internationally. By choosing ballet as the central theme of this new collection, the brand has united its efforts with Olga Morozenko and Ukraine’s leading opera and ballet theatres, including the National Opera of Ukraine named after Taras Shevchenko, the Lviv National Opera named after Solomiya Krushelnytska, the Odesa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Kharkiv National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre named after Mykola Lysenko, and the Dnipro Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre.
Together, they aim to share with audiences across the country the fascinating and often overlooked story of Ukrainian ballet—its deep roots, legendary figures, and inspiring productions—while showcasing the rich cultural legacy that Ukraine rightfully takes pride in.
“My mission is to revive the popularity of Ukrainian ballet and to make it a cultural trend both at home and abroad. To do so, we must reimagine our ballet identity and seamlessly weave it into the modern Ukrainian way of life,”
— shares Olga Morozenko.
About the Relevé Collection
The name Relevé — meaning “rise” in French — carries layered symbolism. It reflects not only the graceful ballet movement of rising onto pointe, but also signifies a cultural resurgence: the new wave of revival for Ukrainian ballet.
The Relevé collection features three elegant silk scarf designs: “Lileya,” “Forest Song,” and “Spotlight” (“Sofit”). Each was illustrated by artist Serhii Karpa, inspired by Olga Morozenko’s storytelling — her reflections on Ukrainian productions, visual imagery, and the emotions they evoke.
The “Spotlight” scarf is a tribute to the stars of Ukrainian ballet — dancers, choreographers, artists, directors, and composers — who have shaped, elevated, and glorified ballet in Ukraine, making it an essential part of the country’s cultural heritage. It honours the legacy of influential figures such as:
- Mykhailo Skorulskyi, Ukrainian composer
- Nataliia Skorulska, Ukrainian ballerina and choreographer
- Anatolii Shekera, Ukrainian principal choreographer
- Tetiana Taiakina, prima ballerina of the National Opera of Ukraine, pedagogue, and namesake of the Kyiv State Choreographic College
- Valerii Kovtun, Ukrainian ballet dancer and choreographer
- Eleonora Stebliak, Ukrainian ballerina and choreographer
-
Alla Lahoda, Ukrainian ballet dancer
The “Soffit” design captures the top moment of a ballet performance — when the stage is transformed with dynamic light, brilliance, and form, when life breaks through the darkness. It is the moment when art is born, and light emerges — continuing to inspire all who witness it.
“Lileya” Ballet at the National Opera of Ukraine Named After T. H. Shevchenko
The Lileya silk scarf draws its inspiration from the ballet of the same name, based on the ballad by Taras Shevchenko—a tender parable about love and the struggle for dignity. The central visual concept of the scarf is the image of a wall or barrier, symbolizing the inability to be close to loved ones—an especially poignant theme for many Ukrainians forced into emigration during the war. At the same time, it also serves as a symbol of protection and of the ultimate price we are willing to pay for those we love.
Lileya is a ballet born from Shevchenko’s poetry that has become a stage symbol of Ukrainian dignity and tenderness.
The foundation of Lileya lies not in a single poem, but in a broader image of Ukraine drawn from Shevchenko’s verse. While the libretto is based on the poem “Lileya,” its emotional atmosphere is a synthesis of several works, including Kateryna, Prychynna, and Naïmychka. It is not a literal retelling of any one story, but rather an emotional portrayal of the feminine experience—of loss, resilience, tenderness, and inner strength.
The music was composed by Kostiantyn Dankevych, one of Ukraine’s most prominent composers of the 20th century, who wrote the ballet score in the 1950s with deep reverence for Shevchenko’s poetry and Ukrainian musical traditions.
Lileya is a ballet centered on the woman—her story, her inner world, and her perception of life. At its core lies the emotional drama of the heroine, conveyed through the refined language of dance and poetic symbolism. For Ukrainian ballerinas, this performance is far more than a role—it is a deeply personal act of remembrance: feminine, national, and collective.
“Forest Song” Ballet at the National Opera of Ukraine Named After T. H. Shevchenko
The Forest Song silk scarf is inspired by the ballet of the same name, based on the poetic drama by the great Ukrainian writer Lesia Ukrainka. The willow branches — a symbol of the character Mavka — reflect themes of cyclicality, natural balance, and the birth of light that always emerges from darkness. No matter how long the journey may be, the most cherished spring is the one you long for most.
Forest Song is a visual poem about freedom, love, and feminine strength. It presents a vivid, rhythmic, and emotional world in which the characters from Lesia Ukrainka’s drama — Mavka, Lukash, the Forest Elf, and He Who Dwells in the Rock — become symbolic representations of the human soul’s search for meaning, the tension between freedom and duty, and the choice between the natural and the social worlds.
The ballet score was composed in the 1930s by Ukrainian composer Mykhailo Skorulskyi. His music is a profound reinterpretation of poetry into sound, capable of conveying both the silence of the Polissian forest and the soul of Mavka. The concept for the ballet originated with his daughter, Nataliia Skorulska — a ballerina and art historian.
The first performance of the ballet took place in 1946 in Kyiv. Forest Song has since become not only a classic of Ukrainian ballet, but a story that speaks directly to our present — addressing women’s freedom, self-determination, and the cost of love.
“Forest Song and Lileya are true gems of Ukrainian ballet — productions based on the works of Ukrainian literary classics. In returning to them, we rediscover pages of our culture and explore deep meanings about freedom, choice, and identity — themes that remain just as relevant today,”
— shares Olga Morozenko.
Today, ballet in Ukraine is experiencing a period of profound renewal. Leading opera houses across the country — from Kyiv to Dnipro, Lviv, Kharkiv, and Odesa — are returning to Ukrainian narratives, composers, and imagery. Their repertoires are enriched with landmark productions that not only reinterpret the classics but also redefine the essence of Ukrainian ballet identity.
“Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors” Ballet at the Lviv National Opera Named After Solomiya Krushelnytska
The ballet Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors, set to the music of Ivan Nebesnyi and based on a libretto by Vasyl Vovkun, tells a story of earthly and spiritual love, inspired by the legendary novella by Mykhailo Kotsiubynskyi.
This poetic narrative, set between reality and myth, fact and fantasy, unfolds before the audience through a modern vision crafted by an international team of creators. The well-known love story of Ivan and Marichka, from two feuding families, comes to life through the neoclassical choreography of acclaimed Ukrainian choreographer Artem Shoshyn.
The visually striking stage design by Lithuanian artist Arvydas Buinauskas transports the characters into a contemporary postmodern world, offering a philosophical rethinking of humanity’s place within nature. Costume designer Nataliia Mishchenko reinterprets traditional Hutsul dress, transforming it from authentic folkwear into modern artistic expressions.
The vibrant score by Ivan Nebesnyi, infused with the power of Hutsul musical traditions, is performed by the Lviv Opera Orchestra under the baton of conductor Yurii Bervetskyi.
“Olha” Ballet at the Dnipro Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre
The ballet Olha pays tribute to a great woman and iconic historical figure in Ukrainian history. Olha was the first — and to this day, the only — woman to have ruled the Ukrainian state. Her legacy continues to symbolize wisdom, strength, and spiritual elevation.
In the performance, Olha appears in many forms: a young maiden, a devoted wife, a ruler, a Christian, a caring mother, and a grandmother. The central theme of her transformation is the conscious journey from paganism to Christianity, from the power of the sword to the power of the spirit.
This production was brought to the repertoire of the Dnipro Ballet thanks to the creative vision of Oleh Nikolaiev(choreographer and librettist), Yurii Pokhovnyk (conductor), and artist Daria Bila. The ballet is set to music by Yevhen Stankovych, a Hero of Ukraine.
Oleh Nikolaiev also reworked the original libretto by Yurii Illienko, effectively creating a new, deeply theatrical composition using the existing music. The ballet unfolds like a cinematic work composed of eight episodes, each with its own distinct dramaturgy and visual style.
Olha is a ballet that speaks to the spiritual needs of contemporary society. It calls audiences to reflect on enduring values and historical memory — the foundation of national identity and the source of collective strength.
“LISOVA” Ballet at the Odesa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre
LISOVA, a ballet based on Lesia Ukrainka’s iconic work, is choreographed and directed by Olesia Shliakhtych, with music by contemporary Ukrainian composer Tymofii Starenkov. It tells the story of the mythical Mavka and the gifted young man Lukash — an ancient tale of love and magic, humanity and nature.
Through its extraordinary stage interpretation, vibrant imagery, and fantastical effects, the performance reminds those living in a pragmatic world of timeless values: the beauty of life and the power of love — a life-giving force that can purify and elevate the world.
The production features exceptional stage design, original sets and costumes, and immersive visuals based on 3D effects and animation projections. This draws audiences into a world of Ukrainian fantasy where folklore is seamlessly and elegantly blended with the present and the future.
LISOVA is a journey into the deepest corners of the soul of anyone who has walked the fine line of love — a path from self-expression to unconditional, forgiving love.
“Dragon Songs” – A Ballet-Parable at the Kharkiv National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre Named After M. Lysenko
Dragon Songs, a ballet-parable set to the music of contemporary composer Maksym Kolomiiets, was created by Antonina Radiievska — Honored Artist of Ukraine and Artistic Director of the ballet troupe. The performance consistently evokes profound emotion in its viewers.
Through expressive choreographic language, the dancers tell a story about the powerful force of love, the battle against one’s fears, and the confrontation with internal dragons. The music plays a crucial role in the ballet’s emotional resonance — rich and hypnotic, at times haunting, at times tender.
The scenography deepens the audience’s immersion into an imagined universe — where every detail carries meaning, where reality intertwines with fantasy, and movement speaks louder than words.
Dragon Songs is not just a performance. It is a journey inward. A form of art that awakens and inspires.
About the Relevé Collection
Relevé is a celebration of cultural heritage — a sense of belonging to something greater. Contemporary Ukrainian style today is not only about beauty, but also about dignity, depth, and a conscious connection to one’s culture. KHUSTYNA’s silk scarves have become a refined medium for carrying that mission forward.
The ballet studio Mary Ballet served as the location partner for the filming of the Relevé video project. (Include this as a caption or video description.)
The silk scarves from the Relevé collection are now available on the 3rd floor of TSUM Kyiv at the KHUSTYNA brand corner, and online at KHUSTYNA.COM
