Sofia Naumenko. From Ukraine.
At 13 years old, she was already placing first in Europe, a ballet student global finalist selected to compete in the United States, striving for and achieving perfection.
.
But then, Russia invaded her home town of Bucha, bombing, looting, shooting, killing…
.
Her message today to Russia?
..
Sofia
Naumenko.
From Ukraine.
..At 15 years old, she was already placing first in Europe, a ballet student global finalist selected to compete in the United States, always striving for and achieving perfection.
.
..But then, Russia invaded her home town of Bucha, bombing, looting, shooting, killing.
.
..Her message today to Russia?
Sofia Naumenko
in her own words…
Ballet is my addiction and my life. At the age of 6, I saw Sylvie Guillem perform and realized that I did not make the wrong choice, it would be my life. And so it turned out.
…
Hit hard, I won’t fall either way. I’ll stay on my feet.
…
The scum that manages all this for 4 days says that they do not touch the citizens of Ukraine…yesterday, these bastards fired at kindergartens, hospitals and killed civilians and children. So, dear 15% of Russians who still have at least 1 furrow left in your brains. Turn on the remnants of your brain cells and turn off your television! Maybe it’s rude, yes, I’m 14 years old, I’m a girl and also a future ballet dancer. But I will not be silent…
– 4 days after the Russians first invaded Bucha, Sofia Naumenko’s s home town, and began their brutal killing campaign there.
…and her homage to her ravaged hometown of Bucha
Before her September 2022 ballet coursework began in Cannes, Sofia returned to her hometown of Bucha for the summer. There, she used her refined skills in choreography, dance and videography direction to create this eloquent condemnation of Russia’s savagery.
Help us help
Sofia Naumenko.
Here’s how you can.
Sofia Naumenko in NPAFE’s words…
After her first-place win in the October 2021 Young American Grand Prix (YAGP) Junior Division 2021 regionals in Berlin, the then-14-year-old student of ballet Sofia Naumenko had been named by YAGP to compete at the YAGP Annual Finals in Tampa, Florida April 12-23, 2022.
NPAFE and AAlchemy were helping Sofia and her mom and dad make their way to the US for this one-of-a-kind competition moment.
But then, in late February, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, leveling a good portion of Sofia’s hometown of Bucha, murdering many of its citizens, making the US trip impossible, and forcing her mother Elizabeta not only to find safety for her daughter outside Ukraine but also to enable Sofia to continue her high school education and ballet training.
Incredibly thoughtful people joined with NPAFE right after the invasion began to support Sofia’s tuition, lodging, medical insurance, and living expenses as she found her way to France and was selected to study at the world-famous Princess Grace Academy in Monaco.
What is happening now?
Sofia’s unwavering self-discipline in mastering classical ballet, as a student for many years at the State Ballet College in Kyiv, then earlier this year as an exceptional student at Monaco’s Princess Grace Academy, and now enrolled at the acclaimed Hightower Academy in Cannes, represents not only her own talent, drive and self-esteem but also all that is good and great about Ukraine.
There’s more. Sofia’s genius and inner drive reaches beyond classical ballet to take on the physical and intellectual challenges of mastering contemporary ballet and modern dance.
Today, NPAFE and AAlchemy are proud to be working with Sofia and her parents. As with all performing artists allied with NPAFE and AAlchemy, our support to the Naumenko family is fully pro bono.
This includes combining NPAFE’s own funding for Sofia’s education with that from generous donors in the United States, Ukraine, and other countries, all to assure that Sofia’s future unfolds as problem-free as possible, and to extend our support to others as well. Every donated dollar, pound or euro goes to Sofia and more like her, with nothing off the top for NPAFE.
Be sure to watch the three short videos when you scroll down. And you can find out even more here:
Email us anytime at sofia.yagp@npafe.org and we’ll keep you up-to-date on this unfolding adventure.
Help us help
Sofia Naumenko…
…so that despite Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the destruction of her home town near Kyiv, she can continue her education and ballet training.
Sofia Naumenko
in her own words…
Ballet is my addiction and my life. At the age of 6, I saw Sylvie Guillem perform and realized that I did not make the wrong choice, it would be my life. And so it turned out.
…
Hit hard, I won’t fall either way. I’ll stay on my feet.
…
The scum that manages all this for 4 days says that they do not touch the citizens of Ukraine…yesterday, these bastards fired at kindergartens, hospitals and killed civilians and children. So, dear 15% of Russians who still have at least 1 furrow left in your brains. Turn on the remnants of your brain cells and turn off your television! Maybe it’s rude, yes, I’m 14 years old, I’m a girl and also a future ballet dancer. But I will not be silent…
– 4 days after the Russians first invaded Bucha, Sofia Naumenko’s s home town, and began their brutal killing campaign there.
Sofia Naumenko’s video homage to her ravaged hometown of Bucha…
Before her September 2022 ballet coursework began in Cannes, Sofia returned to her hometown of Bucha for the summer. There, she used her refined skills in choreography, dance and videography direction to create this eloquent condemnation of Russia’s savagery.
Turn your mobile device sideways to watch this video in full screen!
Help us help
Sofia Naumenko.
Here’s how you can.
Sofia Naumenko in NPAFE’s words…
After her first-place win in the October 2021 Young American Grand Prix (YAGP) Junior Division 2021 regionals in Berlin, the then-14-year-old student of ballet Sofia Naumenko had been named by YAGP to compete at the YAGP Annual Finals in Tampa, Florida April 12-23, 2022.
NPAFE and AAlchemy were helping Sofia and her mom and dad make their way to the US for this one-of-a-kind competition moment.
But then, in late February, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, leveling a good portion of Sofia’s hometown of Bucha, murdering many of its citizens, making the US trip impossible, and forcing her mother Elizabeta not only to find safety for her daughter outside Ukraine but also to enable Sofia to continue her high school education and ballet training.
Incredibly thoughtful people joined with NPAFE right after the invasion began to support Sofia’s tuition, lodging, medical insurance, and living expenses as she found her way to France and was selected to study at the world-famous Princess Grace Academy in Monaco.
What is happening now?
Sofia’s unwavering self-discipline in mastering classical ballet, as a student for many years at the State Ballet College in Kyiv, then earlier this year as an exceptional student at Monaco’s Princess Grace Academy, and now enrolled at the acclaimed Hightower Academy in Cannes, represents not only her own talent, drive and self-esteem but also all that is good and great about Ukraine.
There’s more. Sofia’s genius and inner drive reaches beyond classical ballet to take on the physical and intellectual challenges of mastering contemporary ballet and modern dance.
Today, NPAFE and AAlchemy are proud to be working with Sofia and her parents. As with all performing artists allied with NPAFE and AAlchemy, our support to the Naumenko family is fully pro bono.
This includes combining NPAFE’s own funding for Sofia’s education with that from generous donors in the United States, Ukraine, and other countries, all to assure that Sofia’s future unfolds as problem-free as possible, and to extend our support to others as well. Every donated dollar, pound or euro goes to Sofia and more like her, with nothing off the top for NPAFE.
Be sure to watch the three short videos when you scroll down. And you can find out even more here:
Email us anytime at sofia.yagp@npafe.org and we’ll keep you up-to-date on this unfolding adventure.
Three more short videos…
Turn your mobile device sideways to watch the videos in total full screen!