| Makers | Vladyslav Detiuchenko and Veronika Rakitina |
| Duration | 120 min |
A heartfelt charity event dedicated to supporting Ukraine
Ukrainian choreographers and performers Vladyslav Detiuchenko en Veronika Rakitina organise a second charity event in Korzo for the victims of the war in Ukraine. Their mission is to raise awareness for Ukraine's courageous struggle for independence and freedom, whilst gathering vital funds to assist those in urgent need. They are committed to providing medical supplies, equipment, and humanitarian aid to those affected by this ongoing crisis.
That's why they are programming a special evening of dance and music performances. 100% of the proceeds will go to the charitable organization Netherlands 4 Ukraine. The program will be announced soon.
On the 24th of February 2025 it will have been three years since Russia invaded Ukraine. This event will take place in that same week. Light in Darkness II is dedicated to Ukrainian choreographer, dancer and soldier Volodymyr Rakov, a friend of Vladyslav and Veronika who was killed in battle earlier this year.
During Light in Darkness II you get to see the following artists & works:
- Rutkay Özpinar - Aphorisms
- Maciej Kuzminski - For what is to come
- Richèl Wieles & Ukrainian International Ballet - De/Het/Een
- Antonii Baryshevskyi - Au vent sur le pointe des pieds (comp. Maxim Shalygin)
- Jacopo Godani & Eve Marie Dalcourt - Postgenoma
- Vladyslav Detiuchenko & Veronika Rakitina - Everglow
Are you not able to attend, but do you still want to contribute? Donate via the button below. All proceeds go to the Netherlands 4 Ukraine Foundation.
"We cannot remain silent as we witness the heartbreaking events unfolding in our homeland. This is why we are returning with another charity event to bring together talented artists from Ukraine, the Netherlands, and beyond on one stage. Join us in creating a powerful space where art transcends borders, serving as a symbol of unity, solidarity, and resilience. Together, we can inspire hope, foster community, and illuminate the path toward a brighter future for those impacted by the war."
— Vladyslav Detiuchenko
Light in Darkness is proud to partner with Nederlandse 4 Ukraine (NL4UA), a Dutch ANBI non-profit foundation supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. NL4UA’s core mission is to support Ukrainian patients and the healthcare sector in Ukraine. In partnership with the Ukrainian Ministry of Health and Dutch hospitals, NL4UA has arranged over 125 medical evacuations and provides ongoing humanitarian and protective aid to Ukraine, with contributions totaling over 2 million euros to date.
The first Light in Darkness-event was very successful, raising 20,000
euros through ticket sales and the sale of exclusive artworks by Casper Faassen. These funds were crucial in purchasing and delivering a fully equipped ambulance to Ukraine.
In the days before and on the night of the charity event, you can see the film Rhythms of Resilience.
Rhythms of Resilience – dance with daily risk is a film directed by Vladyslav Detiuchenko. This is the captivating story of professional dancers Kateryna Kurman and Volodymyr Marchuck—two souls engaged in a connected dance amid the shadows of conflict.
The film premiered at the Nederlandse Dansdagen 2023 as part of the Virtual Residence program and produced by Korzo. Directed remotely by Vladyslav Detiuchenko from the Netherlands, it employs cutting-edge digital technology to deliver an authentic and powerful story. Through the lens, we follow Kateryna and Volodymyr as they continue to fight for their passion—dance—despite the violence and chaos engulfing their world, with dance serving as their source of strength and hope.
The film is shown continuously on the 27th and 28th of February + the 1st of March in the Korzo Club.
This charity event is made possible by the following partners:
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- Kylian Foundation
- United Ukrainian Ballet Foundation
- Ukrainian International Ballet
- Embassy of Ukraine in the Netherlands
- De Dutch Don't Dance Division
- Henny Jurriens Foundation
- Zhembrovskyy Dance
- Korzo
- Edward Hermans
Born in Yevpatoria, Crimea, Volodymyr Rakov discovered his passion for dance after suffering a severe facial injury in childhood, which left him struggling with self-esteem. Dance became his salvation, helping him gain confidence and express himself. Through immense dedication and unwavering talent, Volodymyr gained international recognition. He won Season 6 of So You Think You Can Dance (Ukrainian version), became a finalist in the World of Dance qualifiers in Berlin, and collaborated with both renowned Ukrainian and international artists. His work also appeared in music videos and global brand commercials.
Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Volodymyr did not hesitate to defend his homeland. He joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces and served in the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade, named after King Danylo, under the call sign ‘Spider.’ On the front lines, Volodymyr piloted FPV drones, completing critical combat missions in one of the most intense battle zones. At the same time, he helped civilians and continued his volunteer work. On January 6, 2025, Volodymyr Rakov was tragically killed in action. ‘It was a great honor to know and have had the opportunity to work with such a dedicated and inspiring person. He is a true legend and hero,’ says Vladyslav about his friend.
Korzo Zaal