Classical Choreography as a Tool of Cultural Diplomacy (On the Example of International Activities of Ukrainian Opera Theatres in 2024–2025)

The purpose of the research is to analyse classical choreography as a tool of cultural diplomacy on examples of the international activities of Ukrainian opera theatres in 2024–2025. Methodology. The research applies general scientific methods such as synthesis and analysis to highlight two aspects of classical choreography as an element of cultural diplomacy, and the comparative method to compare the international choreographic practices of Ukrainian opera theatres in 2024–2025. The scientific novelty lies in the analysis of classical choreography as an instrument of cultural diplomacy using the example of the international activities of the National Opera of Ukraine, the Odesa National Opera, the Dnipro Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, and the Lviv National Opera in 2024–2025. Conclusions. Thus, based on the analysis of choreographic productions of national opera theatres in 2024–2025 and their representation at the international level and in the virtual environment, we can admit that choreographic art is a leading artistic instrument of contemporary cultural diplomacy. Its universalism and plasticity allow it to represent cultural heritage and manifest the national values of Ukraine as part of the European choreographic context. Touring in European countries and Japan contributes to the development of support for Ukrainian choreographic art in the world. It is worth identifying two main aspects of ballet in Ukraine’s representation: the international and national contexts. The first is embodied in joint projects with European colleagues, which allows Ukraine to incorporate itself into international choreographic trends, as evidenced by the touring ballets ‘Giselle’ by A. Adam and ‘Don Quixote’ by L. Minkus. The second is revealed through the representation and promotion of Ukrainian cultural products on the international digital platforms ‘OperaVision’ and ‘Opera Europa Next Generation’, an example of which is the ballet ‘Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors’ by the Lviv National Opera.