|
The Honchar Lectures
Kyiv. "Regress and Regeneration in Folk Art" was the title of
the Honchar Lectures, which took place 26-28 January in the
museum of art collector and social activist, Ivan Honchar.
The lecture series examined actual and debatable problems in
the history, theory, and development of folk art and its
relationship to academic art. Over 70 scholars representing
art, ethnology, and cultural establishments in Kyiv, Lviv,
Kharkiv, Poltava, Chernihiv, Lutsk, and other cities were
invited to participate. Also present at the event was an
international contingent of specialists from Bulgaria,
Macedonia, Russia, Slovakia, and the United States.
--"Holos Ukrayiny".
The World's Remembrance
As part of its 100th anniversary celebration of world cinema,
UNESCO published a catalog "National Cinematography Heritage"
as part of its series "The World's Remembrance." This catalog
contains the names of 15 Ukrainian films including such
classic national film productions as "Zemlia [The Earth]" and
"Zvenyhora" by Oleksander Dovzhenko, "Tini Zabutykh Predkiv
[Shadows of Our Forgotten Past]" - Serhij Paradzhanov,
"Liudyna z Kameroyu [A Person with a Camera]" - Dzyga Vertov,
and others.
--"Moloda Halychyna".
The Nutcracker on Ice
London. Many spectators in London Arena had a wonderful
opportunity to appraise the mastery of leading world figure
skaters with the "ice" adaptation of Tchaikovsky's ballet "The
Nutcracker". Oksana Bauil - gold-medalist in the 17th Winter
Olympics (Lillehammer, 1994) and the first Olympic champion in
the history of Ukrainian sports - performed the role Clara.
Victor Petrenko - also champion of Olympic sports
(Albertville, 1992) - impersonated Drosselmeier.
--"Vysokyj Zamok".
Folk Festival
Rivne. Folk ensembles from various regions of Ukraine,
Bilorus, Russia, and Slovakia participated in the Second
International Slavic Festival "Koliada" on January 19-21.
A wonderful prelude to the "Day of Ukrainian Unity", the
festival featured religious celebrations including church
services and a water-blessing on Korolenka Square,
folk-ensemble and "Vertep" Christmas drama competitions, an
exhibition of "Ancient Christmas Regalia of the Volyn Region",
and also performances by art collectives.
--"Holos Ukrayiny".
Shevchenko's Wave
Lviv. Final preparations are being made to complete a monument
dedicated to Taras Shevchenko in Lviv. The Kyiv Factory
"Khudozhnyk [The Artist]" poured 30 tons of bronze into a 14
meter plaster-cast model "wave", which was composed in
Argentina and shipped to Odesa. Throughout the month of
February, the "wave" will arrive in sections by rail. On the
fifth anniversary of Ukraine's independence, Lviv citizens
will be able to see the complete artistic composition designed
by sculptures Volodymyr and Andrij Sukhorskyj. The project was
funded by Ukrainian communities in the Diaspora and the Lviv
City Administration.
--"Vysokyj Zamok".
Ukrainian Graphics in London
London. Last year, an exposition representing Ukrainian
graphic art from Lviv, Kyiv, and the Diaspora was organized in
the spacious library halls of the Ukrainian Catholic
University (UCU). The arts event was initiated by the
Department of Ukrainian Artists and Art Specialists at UCU.
Most of the art works expositioned were donated from the
private collection of Volodymyr Lutsiv. Mr. Lutsiv has
organized similar expositions of Ukrainian painting,
iconography, sculpture, and graphic art in large centers and
galleries of London and Bradford.
--"Kultura i Zhytia".
The Mother of God Image in Lviv Graphics
Lviv. An exhibition under the same title opened at the
National Museum in Lviv near the end of last year. Of
particular note is the comely portrait of Metropolitan Andryj
Sheptytskyj by artist Maria Savky-Kachmar, who unites the
baroque style of St. George's Ukrainian Catholic Church with
the spirit of today's Halychyna from the start of this
century.
Similarly, one must show appreciation to the museum curators,
especially Oleh Sydor (perhaps, the museum's eldest after the
brilliant memory of V.Sventsitskyj), for their creative and
captivating approach in the exposition's thematic planning and
construction. This exposition incorporates graphics, hobelens
[weavings], icons, and sculpture; however, because of a time
constraint in organizing this event, copies of original
masterworks were utilized in several places to better reflect
certain epochs.
This effort as seen in other well-known expositions in Lviv
like the Ivan Franko, "Rusalka Dnistrova", and Solomea
Krushelnytskyj Museums confirms the fact that the Lviv group
(M.Prokopovych, O.Mykytka, O.Skop, P.Sypnyak) of museum design
specialists plays an integral and accountable role in the Arts
community.
--"Moloda Halychyna".
Ballet Competition
Kyiv. From 29-31 January, the first All-Ukrainian
Competition-Festival of Artists of Ballet dedicated to the
70th anniversary of Ukrainian ballet was held in the National
Opera of Ukraine. Its brilliant finish included a gala concert
performance by the stars of choreographic art from Ukraine,
Russia, Germany, France, and also laureates of the
competition.
This competition was conducted according to Western European
traditions, and included two age groups: 16-19 and 19-27.
Thirty participants from all the ballet schools of Ukraine
(except the touring Donetsk and Dnipropetrovk theaters and
Kovtun Troupe) took part in the event. The competition's jury
was headed by Anatoly Sheker, head ballet-master of the
National Opera.
This competition is the first tour for Ukrainian dancers, who
wish to participate in the Second International Competition of
Ballet named after Serge Lefar. This celebrated event will
take place in Kyiv between October 12-20 of this year.
The founders and organizers of this festival are the Kyiv
Government Administration, Kyiv Department of Culture,
Association of Choreography in Ukraine, All-Ukrainian Music
Union, and the Center of Development of Operatic and
Choreographic Art.
--Yevdokia Konoz, for UAM.
Contact: Oleh Kalishenko, Director of the Competition, +38
(044) 224-9983. Press Center: Yevdokia Konoz, +38 (044)
229-72-30 fax 229-59-64.
Theater Premieres
Kyiv. Within the framework of Ukrainian and German cultural
exchange, two theaters of drama - The National Ukrainian
Theater named after Ivan Franko and the National Theater of
Russian Drama - presented plays by Tankred Dorst: "Merlin, or
a Country Emptied" (Producer - Serhyj Danchenko) and "Fernando
Krapp Wrote Me this Letter" (Producer - Mykhailo Reznikovych).
The name of Tankred Dorst is not well-known in Ukraine. The
seventy year old dramaturg has not stopped astonishing the
world with his improvident creative explorations and enviable
German style of performance. The artist is involved in many
spheres of art including literature, theater, film, and
instruction at the Berlin Theater School. He is also the
director of the biennial contemporary play festival in Bonn.
--"Kultura i Zhytia".
Ancient History of Ukraine
Kyiv. A presentation of the book "The Ancient History of
Ukraine" recently took place in Kyiv's Center "Ukrainian
Home". The contributing authors include Petro Tolochok, Vice
President of NAN, the head of administration of the Ukrainian
Society for the Preservation of Historical and Cultural
Monuments.
Participants of this presentation stated that this book is one
of the first Ukrainian publications to meet European
standards. The two-volume set was shown at international
exhibitions in Warsaw, Frankfurt am Maine, and Leipzig. The
book was awarded second prize at the All-Ukrainian competition
of Art Books.
--"Holos Ukrayiny".
Author of Ukraine's Anthem
Ukrainian poet, ethnographer, and author of the text "Shche
ne Vmerla Ukrayina" was born on January 27, 1839. The words,
written in 1862, were put to music one year later by composer
Mykhailo Verbytskyj in the village Mlyny (Yavorivskyj Region).
The hymn officially became the national anthem of Ukraine on
January 16, 1992.
--"Moloda Halychyna".
Song "Vernisage'95"
Kyiv. The ninth festival of contemporary song recently
transpired in the state's capital. During the four day event,
118 songs by various artists and even many unknown to the
general public were judged by a committee led by Vasyl
Zinkevych.
The winners of this year's Song "Vernisage '95" were Tayisa
Povalyj - for performing artistry, Maria Shalaykevcych - best
music, and M. Synhayivskyj - best lyrics. Iryna Bilyk was also
recognized by the jury as the best performer of the festival.
The laureates received crystal globes.
In spite of an official greeting addressed to this perhaps
prestigious song forum by Ukraine's President Leonid Kuchma,
many specialists critically appraised the quality of the
festival's organization, especially in its selection of
competitors.
--Yaroslav Davydovsky, UAM.
The Ukrainian Arts Monitor is a sponsorship supported publication.
Without public support this publication would not be possible.
If your organization would like to support U.A.Monitor Project
please write to UAM@ukrainet.lviv.ua.
|
Copyright © 1996 SDA Technologies Ltd. All rights reserved.
|