Ukrainian Arts Monitor #15
Max Pyziur
25.11.95*UAM#15
T h e U k r a i n i a n A r t s M o n i t o r
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Saturday, 25 November 1995
Issue No. 15
The U.A.Monitor
is brought to you
in part by:
* !!Maybe your organization or company!!
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Inside U.A.Monitor:
Brief Moments In History
Current Events
"Picardijska Tertsia" Tours Poland
Young Artist Remembered
Ukrainian Culture: Where Does It Stand Today
Who's Playing With Cartoons?
"Sharika" Returns to Ukraine
Announcements
Artist' Association "500" Presents...
Schedule
Concerts
Opera and Ballet
Theater
Miscellaneous
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Copyright (c) 1995, Ukrainian Arts Monitor, SDA Technologies Ltd.
All rights reserved. Please see the end of this publication for
subscription and other important information.
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BRIEF MOMENTS IN HISTORY
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UAM's new rubric should not surprise anyone. Ukraine has
a long and rich cultural history which should be made known
beyond its borders. Accentuated will be important events in
Ukrainian history which significantly contributed to the
shaping of its society and culture. --Yaroslav Davydovsky,
UAM.
17 Nov The founding of Lviv University (1784)
18 Nov The founding of Kharkiv University (1805)
20 Nov Proclamation of the Third Universal of the Ukrainian
People's Republic (1917)
25 Nov Born Ivan Nechuj-Levytskyj, writer (1810-1881)
CURRENT EVENTS
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**PICARDIJSKA TERTSIA TOURS POLAND**
Lviv, Ukraine. Ukraine's newest pop stars, Picardijska
Tertsia [Picardy Third], just completed a 6-city concert tour
of Poland's Northern Region. The cities Gdansk, Sopot,
Elblong, Pasling, Lewkowe, and Koszalin enthusiastically
greeted the Lviv all-male a cappella sextet. Roman
Klymovskyj, the group's manager, stated in an interview with
Moloda Halychyna correspondent, Bohdan Bondarenko, that the
tour has had a positive effect for both audience members and
sponsors. Formed in 1993, Picardijska Tertsia has received a
lot of media attention since its earliest performances, which
included nationally televised performances in Kyiv. The
group's major hits like "Starenkyj Tramvaj [The Old Trolley]"
and "Tam De Neba Blakyt [There Where the Sky Turns Blue]" has
continuously placed the group in the top ten charts in
Ukraine and Poland as well. --Anthony Potoczniak, UAM.
**YOUNG ARTIST REMEMBERED**
Poltava, Ukraine. November 23rd was the 135th birthday
anniversary of the late Ukrainian painter, Maria
Bashkirtseva, who, born in Poltava Region, died in Paris when
she was only 24 years old. The paintings of this brilliant
artist are exhibited in several museums and art galleries
throughout the world, including New York, Paris, and Moscow.
In honor of the late artist's birthday, the Chutivska
Regional Administration has founded an award named after
Maria Bashkirtseva, which will yearly select the most
talented young artists of the region. --Source: UNIAN.
**UKRAINIAN CULTURE: WHERE DOES IT STAND TODAY**
Zynovyj Mazuryk, Head of Lviv Regional Administration of
Culture, recently gave an interview in the Express Weekly
(No. 59/146; 27 November 1995). The following are excerpts
from this interview:
EW: Is it true that culture is presently in a catastrophic
situation?
ZM: Culture itself is not experiencing a crisis. Rather
society is experiencing this crisis and it's being passed
on to culture...
EW: The government is very much expected to be a part of our
national cultural rebirth. Do you feel that today's
apathy towards culture is simply the ungratefulness of
those who have come to power?
ZM: The significance of rebirth is certainly difficult to
over and underestimate. Everyone understands this fact.
Though, it's another thing, not just to talk about
culture, but also to care for it. Similarly, we need to
find the means to convert to a new model of cooperation
between the government artists and art unions: from the
politics of straight forward financing and support - to
the position of supporting the most brilliant phenomena
and projects. For us, the preservation of creative
freedom, the development of new artistic forms, and the
preservation of national treasures while at the same time
creating new ones are very important to us.
EW: In your opinion, is it possible to unite new and
traditional forms of art?
ZM: True art can only arise from a deep understanding of
one's roots. This can be compared to that proverbial tree
- whose greatness can be felt by its deep root and seen
through its young sprouting branches. That's the way it
should be. Therefore, there's no need to compare the root
to the top of the tree - their connection is maximally
understood. Unfortunately, many believe that everything
is now finished at the root.
EW: Do you feel that Lviv will once again be the art capital
of Ukraine?
ZW: This cannot be done in one day. Everyone knows about the
city's philharmonia, opera house, the Zankovetskyj
theater, but everything operates on needed costs. In
addition, it is extremely important that there are
established laws which protect art, artists, and national
achievements, which on a new level, allow us to solve
problems.
**WHO IS PLAYING WITH CARTOONS?**
Several months ago the cartoon series "Chornyj Plashch [The
Black Coat]" from the Wonderful World of Disney was shown on
Ukrainian National Television. I want to take this
opportunity to share some impressions.
The very philosophical ideas of this cartoon, and
specifically, the battle between good and evil, deserve
attention in terms of its educational value. However, the
embodiment of evil, especially its name, calls forth certain
reservations. Who would have thought that a monster, which,
instead of two horns, has two missile on its head, can be
called "Taras Bulba?!" Nevertheless, the image of Taras
Bulba, from the same novel by the well-known Ukrainian writer
and classic, Mykola Hohol [Nicolai Gogol, in Russian], is for
every Ukrainian, firstly, a patriot, national hero, and a
fighter for freedom and independence of Ukraine. Because of
his patriotic convictions, he slays his own turncoat son
overriding his paternal feelings. One can be certain that
Taras Bulba is the general heroic image of a Ukrainian
patriot and symbol of an undefeated Ukrainian nation.
Therefore, based on what has already been stated, it seems
incompatible and, more to the point, an absurd unification of
the given name with the image of Satan. It is simply
criminal. Whether such feelings are known or not in the
United States cannot begin to explain why Ukrainian movie
vendors turn to such nonsense and allow such movies to be
shown on Ukrainian television screens.
It seems opportune to mention that there is a tendency in
today's Ukraine to show a selection of imported films which
propagate violence - murder, rape, pornography, and other
negative phenomenons of society - not only on TV, but also in
movie theaters. It gives one the impression that the movie
industry is not capable of producing films other than
detective and Rambo-like movies. One needs to ask: whither
the well-mannered heroes with good thoughts and intention?
How much longer will we need to watch such violent movies?
If we take into consideration that the main contingent of
movie-watchers are impressionable youths, then this problem
appears far from being painless. It is quite understandable
that good aesthetic taste can be and must be founded upon the
best examples of various art forms - this includes film. To
a certain degree, movies can also help develop a healthy,
moral, and spiritual climate in our society.
Hopefully not everything is lost. One would like to believe
that various circles will take a serious interest in this
problem and that this situation will change for the better.
--Oksana Zakharchuk, UAM.
**SHARIKA RETURNS TO UKRAINE**
Lviv, Ukraine. Yaroslav Barnych's operetta, "Sharika" will be
premiered in the Lviv Zankovetskyj Theater on November 25th.
This is a historical event since its last tragic performance
52 years ago. During its Stanyslav (now Ivano- Frankivsk)
premiere on November 14, 1943, German Gestapo agents and
soldiers interrupted the overture and arrested theater
patrons suspect of being Ukrainian nationalists. Later, 28
people were executed near the theater.
Written in 1934, "Sharika" is filled with elements of
Transcarpathian folklore and folk melodies. The legend of
Sharika, daughter of the local tavern owner, lived in the
minds of most young soldiers of the UCC including Barnych
himself, who served in the mountain regions during World War
I. Expected to be present at the Lviv premiere will be Ohio
resident, Mrs. Iryna Dubas, daughter of the late Yaroslav
Barnych. --Anthony Potoczniak, UAM.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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**ARTIST'S ASSOCIATION "500" PRESENTS...**
"TEKSTY [Texts]" - an anthology of literature for the 90's.
Since 1994, the Kyiv publishing house "Smoloskyp" has been
accepting works of poetry, prose, and drama by young
Ukrainian authors to be judged and later published in a
yearly anthology. The main goal of this project is to
chronicle the trends of contemporary Ukrainian literature.
Authors to the age of 30 have the opportunity to enter works
written in Ukrainian to the 31st of December. Length
restrictions are as follow: poetry no more than 100 pages,
prose - 250. Winners will receive diplomas as well as
monetary awards, and their works will be published in the
"Smoloskyp" anthology.
A similar competition for young authors, but for radio
production, is also being organized. Authors to the age of 26
may enter works written in Ukrainian to the 31st of December.
Their length cannot exceed 50 pages. Winners will have their
works read on radio as well as become candidates for
government scholarships. In addition, awarded works will be
published in the "Smoloskyp" anthology.
Works can be sent to the following address:
Smoloskyp Publishing House (Litconcurs)
Chkalova Street 52-24 Kyiv 252054 Ukraine
phone +38 (044) 216-1802 fax +38 (044) 216-2697
--Anush Mesoprian, UAM.
SCHEDULE
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* CONCERTS
CONCERT OF SYMPHONIC SONG
Friday, 24 November 1995 7 p.m.
Ludkevych Concert Hall (Tchaikovsky Street, 7)
Performer: Bohdana Khidchenko
Lviv Symphony Orchestra, Roman Fylypchuk (conductor)
Works by Contemporary Ukrainian and West European Composers
CELEBRATING 300 YEARS of Clarinet Music
featuring the students of Volodymyr Nosov
Friday, 24 November 1995 6 p.m.
The Small Concert Hall the Higher Music Institute M.V.Lysenko
(Nyzhankivskyj Street, 5)
Program: Stamitz, Mendelsohnn, Hoffmeister, Kramer and others
Performers: Andryj Vakula, Mykola Hrechukh, Oleh Pidkivka,
Yurij, Andryj Kushlyk, Vadym Sukhyj
UKRAINIAN KOBZARI with Vasyl Zhdankin
Ukrainian Minstrels remember the past
Saturday, 25 November 1995 4 p.m.
Ludkevych Concert Hall (Tchaikovsky Street, 7)
AN EVENING with the Society of Living Ethics
Concert of Ancient Music
Saturday, 25 November 1995 4 p.m.
Dominican Cathedral (Stavropihijska Street, 1)
Piano Accompaniment: Kulinchenko
Director: Lohojdy, M.O.
AUTHOR'S CONCERT: Works by Ihor Sonnevytskyj (USA)
Friday, 01 December 1995 7 p.m.
Ludkevych Concert Hall (Tchaikovsky Street, 7)
Performer: Myroslav Drahan (piano)
Lviv Symphony Orchestra, Andryj Urkevych, Oleksander Hrytsak
(conductors)
Works: Piano Concerto, Opera: "Zoria"
ANNIVERSARY CHOIR CONCERT with the chamber
choir "Evshan" Celebrating 5 years of singing
Sunday, 26th November 1995 7 p.m.
Organ Receital Hall (Bandera Street, )
Works by Contemporary Ukrainian Composers
Conductor: Bohdan Gengalo
* OPERA AND BALLET
24 Nov Gala Concert
26 Nov *Zaporozhets za Dunayem, Hulak-Artemovskij
28 Nov AIDA, Verdi
30 Nov Barber of Seville, Rossini
The opera and ballet schedule may change without prior
notification on the day of the performance. All performances
begin at 7 p.m. Titles with an affixed asterisk (*) begin at
12 p.m. Tickets for performances can be purchased in the
opera theater's entrance between the hours 11 - 2 p.m. and 4
- 8 p.m. For more information please contact the opera's
information office at the following phone number: +38 (0322)
728-672.
* THEATER
ACADEMIC THEATER
The Zankovetzkij Theater (Lesia Ukrainka, 1):
Artistic Director, Fedir Stryhun
24 Nov Salem's Witches (The Crucible), Miller
25 Nov Sharika (Premiere), Barnych
26 Nov Sharika (Premiere), Barnych
28 Nov Sin and Repentance, Karpenko-Karij
29 Nov Sharika (Premiere), Barnych
All performances begin at 7 p.m. Titles with an affixed
asterick (*) begin at 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in the
theater's entrance during the day prior to performances. For
more information, please call +38 (0322) 720-762.
MISCELLANEOUS
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Copyright (c) 1995 Ukrainian Arts Monitor, SDA Technologies Ltd.
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