Alexander and Irina owe their marriage, in a way, to Turkey. dancing couple first met in this country in 2014, while they were working temporarily in dance troupe Years later, a cruel twist of Their destiny lay their lives in chaos and took them to Turkey, for Different reason. Ukrainian husband And the wife was with Turkish dance group Anadolu Ateşi (Fire of Anatolia) this week, but this time, to find a file place to remain. As war broke out out in Their country, Alexander and Irina Balakonova did not find anywhere to go and decided to move back to Turkey where they once lived. To their joy, hmm found temporary shelter in behind the scenes of open-air The dance floor used by the band in Southern Province of Turkey of Antalya.
with two childrenthe couple made a small residence for themselves in Unused section of Behind the scenes and spend their free time in center stage of Aspendos Arena where the band performs.
The family He lived in Mykolaiv, a port on the Black Sea cityWhen war broke out between Russia and Ukraine. the fear for They spent three days in and sought shelter way out of The war-torn country. they lived for interval in Turkey before stability in Their homeland is Ukraine in 2017 is believed to have been best to go back there. They called their fellow dancers from Anadolu Ace and the band invited them to Antalya for their wedding. performance A place near the eponymous ancient Stage. accompanied by Irina mother Gallyna Dziuba, hmm hit The Road. about six Days, they traveled all the way of About 2,300 kilometers (1,429 miles), through Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria and finally Turkey. In the performance The place, they made a living space for themselves. Irina mother Informs the school age of the spouses son who Had to drop out of School because of the war, while Irina and Alexander train regularly in the ring for they future offers.
“She was 5 in morning when house (in Ukraine) rocked. I knew (war) was imminent but I couldn’t comprehend it first after. “I was so scared,” Irina said, remembering her time. in Ukraine. “I was worried about my own children. Bombs fell near our house house. I called my friends in Anadolu Ateşi They called us Here, “Hey added. “It was a hard journey and it was a lot more Hard to be forced to leave my country home But I had to do something to protect the children. They are grateful to Mustafa Erdogan, the founder and art director of the band for give them place to remain.
Alexander said he danced on The same stage he’s dancing in now with his wife for years. He said he was Russian of Russian origin, he didn’t have anything problems in Ukraine where he had a job, a home and family. “I hope this war at least ends with the bombing,” he added for in order to of for us children, He said. Galina Dzyuba said that she was studying children About wars as a history Teacher in Ukraine has now watched it closely. “For me, war leaves you at home.”
Mustafa Erdogan said they are happy that the couple “are safe and sound. “We had Ukrainian and Russian dancers in The pastwe share the same stage and we will have more in The future. Wars are between states and politicians, but suffering exists left for The people. I think performing arts is a strong form of Moral solidarity,” Erdogan said, his famous band with eclectic mix of Dances from different parts of They said Turkey set out Showing “peace between different civilizations” and hosting a couple fleeing war “was an example of this.” of this is.”