Zaporizhzhia – Calgary * Tryzub Ukrainian Dancers
Olena and Vitalii Brahin arrived in Canada from Zaporizhzhia with their two children in June 2022. Prompted to leave by the first fire at the nuclear power plant in their home city, they arrived in Calgary to a warm community welcome.
Both dancers and choreographers by profession, Olena and Vitalii were fortunate to be offered opportunities to pursue their passion with Tryzub Ukrainian Dance Society.
Olena has over 19 years of teaching experience with the Baida Children’s Folk Ensemble in Ukraine. Her dancers have participated in international festivals and competitions.
She is also a performer and spent 16 years with the Song and Dance Ensemble of the Zaporizhia Regional Philharmonic.
Vitalii was a dancer with the National Honoured Academic Dance Ensemble of Ukraine, Virsky; for 6 years. He also danced with the Song and Dance Ensemble of the Zaporizhia Regional Philharmonic from 2006-2022.
“We were very warmly welcomed by the community. As professional dancers and choreographers, my husband Vitalii and I were fortunate that Tryzub Ukrainian Dancers offered us the opportunity to continue working. I was shocked at the number of children learning Ukrainian dance. The level of choreography, the precision of the costumes, the level of cultural preservation, are all amazing!” – Olena Brahina