Legendary Ukrainian ballerina Valentyna Kalynovska passes away

On 1 June 2025, ballerina and tutor Valentyna Kalynovska died. The People’s Artist of Ukraine passed away at the age of 87. This was reported by the Taras Shevchenko National Opera of Ukraine.

She is remembered by more than one generation of ballet fans. For more than two decades, her bright talent and inspiration fascinated many people in performances of contemporary and classical repertoire. She performed on the world’s most prestigious ballet stages in different countries and was the first Ukrainian ballerina to be awarded the honorary title of People’s Artist of the USSR.

‘Being the first was her destiny,’ the post says.

According to the institution, this is the loss of a dancer whose performance style is remembered for its high academicism, subtle culture and artistry. The name of Valentyna Kalynovska will be forever preserved in the hearts of those who worked with her, who saw her unique inspired dance on stage, in numerous videos that captured the golden age of Ukrainian ballet for posterity.

‘An eternal and bright memory to the great ballerina and a wonderful person,’ the National Opera said.

Biography of Valentyna Kalynovska

Valentyna Kalynovska was born on 28 July 1938 in Kyiv into a family that had nothing to do with ballet. Her father was against his daughter’s choice and did not welcome her aspirations.

The future star studied at the Kyiv Choreographic School. In 1957, she graduated. Valentyna Kalynovska briefly attended a school of corps de ballet. Her powerful artistic potential was noticed immediately.

The talent of a classical ballerina in a dramatic role was remembered by many. She performed the following roles:

• Aegina in Spartacus
• The Mistress of the Copper Mountain in The Stone Flower
• Mehmene-banu in The Legend of Love
• Francisca in The Blue Danube
• Medora in Corsair
• Zarema in The Fountain of Bakhchisarai
• Myrtle in Giselle
• Donna Anna in The Fireplace Master
• The sparkling Spaniard Kitri in Don Quixote
• Carmen

The golden fund of Ukrainian choreographic art includes performances in the unique, highly artistic style of Valentyna Kalynovska.

For four decades, the talented ballerina shared her skills and knowledge, raising several generations of dancers. She will also be remembered as an excellent teacher and theatre organiser as the head of the ballet company of the National Opera of Ukraine and vice-president of the Ukrainian Dance Academy.

The farewell will take place on 4 June from 11:00 to 12:00 in the theatre lobby.

As a reminder, Kyiv of the Sixties: The Cult of Kyiv festival has announced the focus theme and dates of the festival.