COMMENTARY: Kyiv arts festival demonstrates devotion to Ukraine (02/27/00)

COMMENTARY: Kyiv arts festival demonstrates devotion to Ukraine

by Oksana Rodak

KYIV - Songs have lifted the Ukrainian spirit for hundreds of years. For those Ukrainians who live beyond Ukraine's borders, songs are a reminder of their native land; they seem to make boundaries disappear and establish close ties to Ukraine. Nations of the world have come to recognize Ukraine through her singing tradition.

Last October 19, the stage of the National Opera of Ukraine was filled with Ukrainians who came from far away to perform their beloved songs and to visit Ukraine. Almost 500 artists came from the United States, Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Slovakia, Moldova, Romania, Poland, Belarus, Russia, and Kazakstan. Amateurs and professionals, singers, dancers and musicians, congregated at the Arts Festival of Ukrainian Ethnographic Lands and the Diaspora. The concert was one of the closing events of the All-Ukrainian Folk Festival of the Arts in which every region of Ukraine took part and presented its own musicians, dancers, instrumentalists, poets, painters, masters of embroidery and other crafts.)

The United States was represented by composers Ihor Sonevytsky, Yuri Oliynyk and bandurist Olha Herasymenko-Oliynyk. Piano duo Ireneus and Luba Zuk, bandurist Victor Mishalow and this writer represented Canada.

The Perlyna Children's Choir of Kyiv was formed three years ago under the sponsorship of the international women's organization Zhinocha Hromada. Thirty-five children age 10-16 meet three times a week to sing, rehearse and perform Ukrainian songs and world classics.

In Kyiv the choir has performed at the Ukrainian National Academy of Music, the Ukrainian House, the Teacher's Building and at various museums. Performing at the opera was a huge undertaking for the young choir. What follows are the Kyiv children's perspectives on the concert.

* * *

We, of the children's choir, were incredibly moved by our experience at the National Opera. There were so many rehearsals, and so much work! Finally, the day arrived; we could not believe that we were actually singing on the same stage that saw such great names as Borys Hmyria, Maria Lytvynenko-Volhermut, Solomiya Krushelnytska, Oleksander Myshuha. Our great moment in our short "history" was now upon us. After two extremely tiring dress rehearsals, we felt as if we had been here our entire lives, as I've had always been a part of the back-stage environment.

We listened to the other performers and especially enjoyed Canadian pianists Ireneus and Luba Zuk, as they performed "Ethnic Dance" by Roger Matron. The Moscow choir Chuyesh Brate Mii conducted by Oleksander Semaka, sang very well. We found out that the group from Kazakstan had traveled for four days by train to sing at this festival.

Olha Zhurbenko, 15, commented: "What a celebration! What an unusual atmosphere! I met Ukrainians from Poland and Russia and could not believe that total strangers were talking to each other as if they were old friends!"

Oleksandra Labunska, 16, was also changed by this experience. She said : "It's comforting to know that Ukrainians who live thousands of kilometers away do not forget about Ukrainian culture."

Finally, we walked onto the stage. It seemed as if all of Ukraine, all 50 million were watching. At that moment we realized the responsibility which was required of each of us to have a successful performance. The master of ceremonies made the first announcement - "Song of Youth," words by Ivan Bahrianiy, music by Hryhoriy Kytasty. Our voices rang out, "...nema toyi syiy schob vesnu spynyla..." (there is no power that can stop spring from coming...), confirming love of life, belief in oneself and a better future.

We must have convinced the audience; the moment we stopped singing there was thunderous applause and shouts of "Bravo!" We did not want to leave the stage and could have sang on and on. After the performance, we were extremely excited and hugged each other!

For the finale, all the choirs sang "Prayer for Ukraine" (by Mykola Lysenko/Oleksander Koshetz). We watched as the audience rose to their feet, singing with us. We all had tears in our eyes! The song united all of us!

For 15-year old Anna Kurza, this festival helped remind her that there are many patriotic Ukrainians who live outside of Ukraine. Anna Stavychenko, 14, now understands how lucky she is to be a part of a nation that so deeply loves its country and its songs. Twelve-year old Evhen Kirienko most enjoyed the television broadcast of the concert. "We looked very serious, like true artists - "narodni artysty.'"

Events of this nature are truly uplifting. The organizing institutions - the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture and Arts, the State Committee on Nationality and Migration, the Ukraine World Society and the All-Ukrainian Coordinating Council - must be congratulated.

This festival proved that the 22 million Ukrainians who live outside of Ukraine's borders, know no boundaries. They will come together because of their deep devotion, love and respect for Ukraine.

For the Kyiv children, this was a life-changing experience and an event they will always cherish. All the long rehearsals, the constant striving for excellence, and the sleepless nights were well worth the end result. These children will continue to strive for new artistic heights!

Oksana Rodak is founder and conductor of the Perlyna Children's Choir of Kyiv.

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