A ballerina warms up earlier than an open rehearsal on the Audi automobile manufacturing unit in Győr, Hungary on Thursday. The Győr ballet firm rehearses at a manufacturing unit after being compelled to shut the rehearsal room on account of hovering power costs.
Denes Erdos/AP
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A ballerina warms up earlier than an open rehearsal on the Audi automobile manufacturing unit in Győr, Hungary on Thursday. The Győr ballet firm rehearses at a manufacturing unit after being compelled to shut the rehearsal room on account of hovering power costs.
Denes Erdos/AP
GYOR, Hungary. On Thursday, Reka Zalai went out for lunch on the high quality assurance division of Audi’s automobile plant in Hungary.
However as a substitute of going to her typical place within the manufacturing unit canteen, she went to a close-by convention room close to the manufacturing line to look at a efficiency by knowledgeable up to date ballet firm.
The ballet firm of Győr, a metropolis in northwestern Hungary that homes an vehicle and engine manufacturing unit, started rehearsals on the manufacturing unit in January after being compelled to shut its rehearsal room on account of hovering power costs.
With nowhere to rehearse and scheduled performances approaching, the troupe turned to the Audi manufacturing unit, a longtime sponsor, who provided to deal with the dancers within the manufacturing unit’s heated room for a number of weeks throughout the coldest winter months.
On Thursday, within the transformed conference corridor, dancers practiced their pliés and pirouettes, whereas row after row of recent vehicles could possibly be seen within the distance by ceiling-high home windows, and staff handed outdoors wearing brilliant purple jumpsuits.
Laszlo Velekei, director of the ballet firm, mentioned having the ability to maintain rehearsals going after the dancers left the theater was vital to preserving them in prime form.
“Crucial factor within the lifetime of a dancer is that he can’t cease,” Velekey mentioned. “There’s a saying that we frequently repeat to one another: for those who miss at some point (rehearsals), it is okay. When you miss two days, the dancer will begin to really feel it. When you miss three days, the general public notices too.”
The Győr Ballet Rehearsal Corridor is one among dozens of Hungarian cultural establishments quickly closed for the winter season on account of exponentially rising power costs. Heating payments for some have risen tenfold since final winter, whereas excessive inflation and a weakening forex have exacerbated the awful financial outlook.
Audi staff applaud ballet dancers throughout an open rehearsal on the manufacturing unit on Thursday.
Denes Erdos/AP
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Audi staff applaud ballet dancers throughout an open rehearsal on the manufacturing unit on Thursday.
Denes Erdos/AP
The Hungarian authorities declared an “power emergency” in July in response to rising costs and provide disruptions associated to Russia’s battle in Ukraine. He additionally reduce a preferred utility subsidy program that has saved Hungarians among the many lowest payments within the 27-member European Union since 2014.
Reka Yakab, a spokesman for Audi, mentioned the ballet firm needed to pay again 12,000 manufacturing unit staff in alternate for rehearsal area.
“They provided to offer them one open efficiency each week, and have been additionally prepared to offer entry to rehearsals when the employees had free time,” she mentioned.
She mentioned that most of the staff had by no means seen ballet earlier than, however the suggestions was very constructive.
“A number of individuals mentioned that they might undoubtedly attend the following efficiency on the theater.”
Zoltan Jekli, Győr ballet dancer, mentioned the corporate overcame a number of the limitations of the brand new area by adorning the ground with delicate foam and bringing their very own gear to make them really feel at house.
“Every time I come right here, I’m crammed with good emotions and recollections, and I feel everybody (within the troupe) feels the identical manner,” he mentioned. “We do not really feel like we’ll a automobile manufacturing unit. We love being right here.”
Zalai, 28, mentioned she has “at all times admired ballet” however seeing it up shut and having the ability to take her thoughts off her day by day routine was a particular expertise for her.
“I used to be actually energized in that half an hour. Time has stopped for me,” she mentioned.
