VENTRE
VENTRE
Ventre is a belly dance photography book by photographer Pedro Bonatto, created in support for Ukraine. All profits from sales will go to institutions helping women and children in Ukraine who are impacted by the war. The book features 56 dancers from 15 countries, including 10 Ukrainian dancers, who have been photographed by Pedro throughout the past 10 years, and collaborated with him in this charity effort.
Shipping: US, Canada and Europe: $5 | All other countries: $10
Book Size: 8.5×11 in, 22×28 cm - 76 pages
Publish Date: April 22, 2022
Shipping: US, Canada and Europe: $5 | All other countries: $10. Books ship in 4 business days.
Payment: Payments are made securely using your credit card or PayPal. Prices are in US dollars.
Charity: All profits from book sales will go to institutions in support for women and children impacted by the war in Ukraine.
Dancer Alex Delora being photographed by Pedro Bonatto in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, in 2021.
Ventre, in my native language of Portuguese, means ‘womb’. In Brazil, Belly Dance is called ‘Dança do Ventre’ — the Dance of the Womb. The womb is a place of birth, of protection, of love, of beginnings. Of hope.
Belly dance is an art form that began in the Middle East, but today is a world wide celebration of the mixing of cultures and our common humanity. Throughout the years, I photographed, and played music for, hundreds of belly dancers from all over the world. My wife and I, Ukrainian dancer Iana Komarnytska, spent three years living in Ukraine, a place I had been visiting since 2014. I travelled all around the country working on photography projects, playing music for hundreds of dancers, meeting amazing people and falling in love with the land.
I asked myself: how could I help? What role should I have in the fight for peace? I can only offer what I do. I am a musician and a photographer. I write with sound and light about a vision for the interconnectedness of our planet. It was time to give my art as a gift to support the people suffering under the oppression of war.
In this book you will find a selection of some of my favorite photographs featuring 56 dancers from 15 countries, including 10 Ukrainian dancers, and all profits from this project will be donated to charities helping women and children in Ukraine. Every month we will choose one reputable charity providing support for people affected in the war.
My wish to you as you go through this book is that you find hope and inspiration in the beauty of belly dance. And maybe a little bit of the courage Ukrainians are showing us every day.
Dragons can be beaten. And art can help.
Glory to Ukraine. Слава Україні!
Featured Dancers:
Alex Delora - Ukraine
Anna Gureeva - Ukraine
Iana Komarnytska - Ukraine
Julia Farid - Ukraine
Julia Mitsai - Ukraine
Kristina Derkach - Ukraine
Maria Kozlova - Ukraine
Marta Korzun - Ukraine
Natalie Stukalenko - Ukraine
Solomiya Derkach - Ukraine
Aida Bogomolova - Russia
Aliah Kluchenkova - Belarus
Ami Koko - China
Anjelica Scannura - Canada
Anuka - Canada
Anusch Alawerdian - The Netherlands
Ariane Chola - Canada
Boriana Dimitrova - Bulgaria
Bruna Milani - Brazil
Camelia Dances - Canada
Claudia Olympia - Canada
Cree-Norquay Field - Canada
Dalilah Lopes - Brazil
Eshe Yildiz - Canada
Eva Mandisa - Greece
Evelina Papazova - Bulgaria
Hayal - Brazil
Ilina Kovacheva - Bulgaria
Joharah Kolishenco - Canada
Katerina Borisova - Bulgaria
Katia Solpanova - Russia
Katrina Kukurs - Canada
Kristiana Atanasova - Bulgaria
Laura Varga - Canada
Lauriane Mj Danse - France
Leanna BellaDance - Canada
Leianne Vergara - Canada
Leigh Clarke - Canada
Liliya Boginova - Bulgaria
Marina Shishkova - Russia
Melissa Gamal - Canada
Miruna Soiu - Romania
Miryam Nunez-Khoury - Peru
Natalya Kalinina - Russia
Natasha Lee - Corea
Olesya Astman - Russia
Paromita Kar - India
Peggy Harrison - Canada
Raisa Latorraca - Brazil
Rosa Mondaray - Spain
Sarita Gayle Alvarez - Canada
Stephania Woloshyn - Canada
Tatiana K - Russia
Triana Ballesta - Brazil
Tumisha Abdour - Russia
Vivian - China
Ukrainian dancer Kristina Derkach photographed by Pedro Bonatto in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Pedro Bonatto is a Brazilian fine art photographer and musician. Together with his wife, dancer Iana Komarnytska, Pedro travels the world creating music, dance and photography projects focusing on exploring traditions and mixing cultures for peace. Pedro has lived in Ukraine for the past 3 years and has been visiting since 2014. Pedro has photographed hundreds of dance artists from all over the world, and has played for dancers in Ukraine, Western Europe, Turkey, Canada and the US. His photography and music work is inspired by mythology, history and the mixing of cultures from all over the planet.
