An unusual and exciting biography in dance has its world premiere Friday and Saturday — Shumka’s Ukrainka!
Born in Zviahel, Ukraine, in 1871, Lesya Ukrainka became a renowned poet, writer, activist, musician, storyteller and humanitarian in the Ukrainian diaspora.
Shumka’s artistic director Les Sereda was inspired to develop a dance theatre work around her story, rife with artistic angst, physical hardships like tuberculosis of the bone, escapes and numerous creative triumphs.
Along with her prolific poetic, dramatic and literary achievements, Ukrainka explored ethnography and collected data on folk traditions and Ukrainian folk melodies.
She recorded 220 of the latter, published work on children’s games, songs and fairy tales and formed a collection, Folk Songs for Dance — making her a pioneer of ethnic studies in Ukraine.
“I believe that Lesya lived out her dreams through her writing,” notes Sereda. “Her health limited her physically but through her writing, she could experience the world.
“She wrote not only of love but also social justice and human rights,” he says of the feminist anti-tsarist. “This was at a time when such subjects were frowned upon. Now is a time when these subjects are at the forefront.”
Combining energetic dance, state-of-the-art lighting, deep musical roots (Alexander Rodin composes) and of course terrific dancing (Tasha Orysiuk and Paul Olijnyk among the choreographers here), Shumka’s Ukrainka looks like an enlightening experience all around.
Art/Design
2025
Books
Comedy
2025
Exhibits
2025
Festivals
2025