Ukrainian refugee celebrates new dance studio in Centretown

Anastasiia Kulikova came to Ottawa three years ago with her son and $100 in her pocket, she now runs a successful dance studio. CTV’s Natalie Van Rooy reports.

A Ukrainian refugee who fled from war in 2022 is celebrating the success of her new dance studio in Centretown.

The studio named Ladies Space opened for classes on Bank Street late last year.

The owner is celebrating a grand opening in a few weeks, but it’s been a long journey to get to this point.

Anastasiia Kulikova says she fled Ukraine and started a new life in Canada with only $100 in her pocket.

For her, the dance studio is a dream come true.

“We didn’t plan to come to Canada, and I came here with only $100. I have a son who is three years old and I have to find some job or to do something at least,” she said.

“I did tap dance in Ukraine for 11 years and I said maybe I can try to start to run dance classes.”

That’s exactly what Kulikova did. The studio has quickly became a safe space for other like-minded people.

“I was basically living on the mode of survival to pay rent, to eat something, to work, to send money back to Ukraine to my family, and then I found the space and it actually brought me back to life,” said Olha Sales, who takes classes at the studio.

Kulikova says the classes are meant to boost confidence.

“We usually wear high heels, but it’s optional of course,” said Kulikova. “The most important goal is to come here and enjoy our body, enjoy ourselves and feel feminine.”

Kulikova is hoping to eventually expand classes to other cities, like Toronto and Montreal.

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