UKRAINIAN pupils enjoyed a morning of dance when their compatriots from Kyiv City Ballet visited Shaftesbury C of E Primary School.

Ukrainian children from Shaftesbury Primary, Shaftesbury Abbey, St Andrew’s (Yetminster) and St George’s in Bourton, joined in with a morning of dance and culture.

The Kyiv City Ballet representatives, including founder and director Ivan Kozlov, rehearsal director Mykhailo Shcherbakov and a selection of dancers, led a personal and informal workshop for the youngsters and close friends.

The children were shown some of the intricate costumes and shoes and taught some of the basic ballet positions and moves.

They were then joined by Ukrainian parents and Years 4, 5 and 6 from Shaftesbury Primary for an assembly.

Ivan spoke about how the Kyiv City Ballet had left Kyiv the day before the Russian invasion in 2022 to start a three-week tour of France, and how it was effectively still on that tour, having been unable to get home. This was the origin of the ‘Infinity Tour’.

Shaftesbury Primary teacher Ben Smiley said: “It was our pleasure to host the Kyiv City Ballet. For them to take time out of their busy schedule to spend time with some of the Ukrainian students from the North Dorset area is a hugely generous gesture.

“The connection between Ivan and his team with the children was instant, and it has undoubtedly created a sense of pride in the Ukrainian culture within our refugee children.

“Thanks go to Ivan, the Kyiv City Ballet and Stuart Twiss of the Shaftesbury Refugee Group for their time and energy in inspiring our children.”