Their homeland may be at war, but a group of professional Ukrainain ballet dancers are travelling the world to give audiences a different perspective of their nation.
1News was given special access to their first show that kicked off in Invercargill this week.
It is a packed schedule as soon as they enter the next venue - this time it is the Civic Theatre in the southern city.
The performers spend their time practising and perfecting, tweaking and critiquing to have their two act show just right for when the crowds turn up later in the evening.
Some of the dancers have never been to our shores before and are looking forward to performing shows up and down the country.
We met 20-year old Ukrainian Marta Kaliandruk backstage as she was putting make-up on.
"I feel something special when I perform in Australia and New Zealand because it's not like Europe," she said.
Their homeland may be at war, but that hasn’t stopped the group showcasing its nation.
It was back behind the red curtain to do one last practice with her dance partner, Daniil Kish.
It is fair to say that Invercargill is a world away from the home of the Grand Kyiv Ballet of Ukraine dancers.
More than two years ago, Ukraine was invaded by neighbour Russia and the ballet company has felt the full force of the war.
They were forced to relocate to nearby Poland to set up base after their theatre was destroyed.
Nicole Demura spoke to us about how challenging it has been on the road to balance performance away from home and keeping up with what's happening with those dear to her.
"My whole family stay in Ukraine, in Kyiv and my father is in the military and it's so hard," she said.
"You can call family and they won't answer... and every time we have an air alarm, I try to call... guys are you okay, everything alright? And they go to the basement."
Marta Kaliandurk agreed.
"It's complicated to be so far away from our homeland but we do whatever we can do to support Ukraine."
The night's performance featured choreography that is 75 years old and is based on a Ukrainian folk story about love - known as Forest Song.
"It's our history and I'm so happy to perform," said Kaliandruk.
Amongst the Ukrainian talent is Zack Tidswell, a young performer from the United Kingdom who joined the company's tour.
"The most important thing about this company is about keeping the art of Ukraine alive, the culture of Ukraine and spread that message to everyone in NZ and across the world."
The passion the dancers have for their homeland is clear to see, with the show starting with a Ukrainian flag on stage, and the dancers signing the nation anthem.
Nicole Demura had one message for New Zealanders, "thank you" as she made a love heart sign with their hands.
The Grand Kyiv Ballet of Ukraine will tour the country and finish in Auckland in late June.
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