On May 12, 2022, the City Angels Association awarded the prestigious "Champion for Peace" prize to Accademia Ucraina di Balletto, recognizing the institute's commitment to the "Welcome for Ukraine" project. In response to the dramatic situation in the country, the Academy, with the support of its faculty, launched an initiative to host 21 students from Kyiv, accompanied by their family members. Some of these families were accommodated at the Marcelline Institute, while others were hosted by Milanese families who offered their support.

The students were able to continue their education by attending professional dance courses at the Academy and academic classes organized by the Marcelline Institute. Italian language courses were also launched for both the students and their mothers to foster integration. In March 2022, the Academy organized a charity gala that raised €5,000, which was donated to Don Orione to support relief efforts in Ukraine.

The project garnered significant media attention, featuring in numerous television reports by broadcasters such as Mediaset and Rai, as well as in articles published in major Italian newspapers. Eight of the hosted Ukrainian students graduated in June 2022 and had the opportunity to join a professional company, thereby launching their artistic careers.

Some of the students subsequently returned to Ukraine, while others remained in Italy, graduating and pursuing careers as professional dancers. One student, in particular, chose to compete under the Academy’s name, maintaining strong ties to her home school.

This project has demonstrated how dance can become a powerful tool for fostering inclusion and integration. Accademia Ucraina di Balletto —long an example of coexistence among diverse cultures—continues to promote art as a means of unity, inspired by the shared Vaganova methodology used across the countries of the former Soviet Union.

Indeed, the Academy’s guiding principle is “Art unites, it does not divide,” demonstrating that beauty remains possible even in difficult times.