Dancing Across Borders: Ukrainian Ballet in Belgrade as a Transnational Cultural Practice

Abstract

This paper examines performances by the Ukrainian Classical Ballet in Belgrade in 2024 and 2025 as a case of transnational cultural collaboration. It analyzes how ballet is recontextualized through local venues, organizers, media discourse, and audience-oriented presentation. The aim of the paper is to demonstrate that the presence of the Ukrainian ballet artists in Belgrade should not be understood solely as a consequence of the war-induced migration, but as a complex process of transnational cultural collaboration that generates new forms of professional networks and cultural visibility. The theoretical framework draws on cultural and media studies, with particular emphasis on transnationalism, cultural mobility, and artistic networks. Methodologically, the research adopts a qualitative case study approach based on performances of The Nutcracker and Swan Lake, venue and promotional materials, and selected Serbian and regional media coverage. Special attention is paid to how media narratives position Ukrainian ballet within the framework of solidarity, professionalism, and cultural value. The analysis shows that canonical repertoire, cooperation with local venues, and media framing centered on professionalism and prestige enable Ukrainian ballet to become visible in Belgrade not only as a displaced art but as a legitimate transnational cultural presence.