(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Some Ukrainian Americans are planning protests outside the Chicago performances of a ballet based on the Russian classic Anna Karenina.
The Joffrey Ballet held its opening performance Wednesday at the Lyric Opera House, and shows are scheduled through Feb. 26.
Olena Tomkevych, a Chicago resident from Ukraine, said she wants to draw attention to what she sees as Russia hiding behind its culture while committing atrocities. She helped organized the protests, which she says will be peaceful and educational.
“Every day Russians try to erase Ukrainian identity,” Tomkevych said. “We need to highlight uncomfortable truths that the war is still going on.”
In a statement, the Joffrey Ballet says it stands with Ukraine and holds Ukrainians in their hearts.
“Artistic adaptations of historical pieces of literature about our humanity have the transformative power to create a space for meaning, reflection and healing while allowing us to connect to our past, present, and future,” the organization said.
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