SPRING Performing Arts Festival is one of the leading European festivals of contemporary performing arts, held annually in Utrecht, the Netherlands. The festival presents some of the most relevant international theatre, dance, and interdisciplinary projects, with a focus on new artistic practices, experimentation, and socially engaged themes. 

The Ukrainian delegation includes: 

Mariia Bakalo — choreographer and researcher of contemporary dance and inclusive practices. She develops dance as an accessible practice for people with diverse bodies and experiences, creates performances with people with disabilities, and collaborates with theatres and institutions across Europe and the United States. She leads inclusive dance projects, runs educational programmes, and explores the relationship between embodiment, social practices, and performance art. Her work combines research, creativity, and cultural heritage, creating new ways of engaging with the body and society. 

Mariia Boiko — actress, performer, director, and project manager from Mariupol, and a representative of the Mariupol Ukrainian Theatre in exile. She creates performative and theatre projects at the intersection of documentary and physical theatre, combining ancient Greek classical traditions with Ukrainian ethnic motifs. Her work explores themes of national identity, memory, and the experience of war, and engages in international collaborations and educational initiatives. 

Olha Drobysh — choreographer, director, performer, and cultural manager from Kharkiv, and the founder of LeRoy Dance Company. She creates performances and performative projects in the field of contemporary dance, working across formats from stage productions to site-specific works. In her practice, she builds a holistic experience for the audience, where immersion and interactivity serve the unfolding of meaning. Alongside her artistic work, she is also engaged in teaching and developing educational programmes. 

We received many strong applications — thank you to everyone who applied!  

The Ukrainian Institute will continue to build international connections in performing arts and support Ukrainian artists in engaging with professional programmes and global networks.