Literature & Theatre – Ukraine

During the centuries, Lviv has constituted a cultural hub where literature, poetry, theatre, cinema and other forms of art have bloomed. In this context, Lesia Ukrainka Lviv Academic Dramatic Theatre (Lesia Ukrainka Theatre) has hosted numerous theatre productions presenting different topics and theatre genres.

But, do you know who Lesia Ukrainka is?

Lesia Ukrainka is one of the most well-known personalities in the history of Ukrainian literature, and a leading figure in its modernist movement. She left behind a great literary heritage including poetry and prose, essays and translations of world classics.

Born Larysa Kosach, Lesia Ukrainka was her pen name, while the literal meaning of ‘’Ukrainka’’ is ‘’Ukrainian woman’’. She began writing poetry at a very early age, while she wrote a total of over 100 poems. Ukrainka translated works by Homer, William Shakespeare, Victor Hugo, Lord Byron etc.

As for her dramatic legacy (including more than two dozen works and many unfulfilled dramatic plans), she started writing plays as a well-known poetess, being inspired by the world literature and creating a modern drama of great philosophical generalizations.

Her most famous work is “The Forest Song”, a three-act poetic play, notable for being one of the earliest examples of fantasy fiction in the Ukrainian literary world. The work can be interpreted as a love letter to the natural wonders and folklore of Ukraine, and is rich in opportunities for stage interpretations and acting improvisations.

Bonus Trivia!

-In 2021, the 150^th birth anniversary (1871-2021) of the famous poetess and playwright was included on UNESCO List of Commemorations and Anniversaries.

To celebrate the jubilee year, a campaign was created including -among other events- a large-scale art project, entitled “Lesia Ukrainka: 150 names”, demonstrating the depth and complexity of Ukrainka’s life.

BONUS!

Watch the premiere of the opera ‘’LE’’, directed by Vlad Troitsky and performed by Kyiv’s Nova Opera, dedicated to the writer.

Sources & pictures: Lesya Ukrainka 150 names (150imenlesi.org), https://artsandculture.google.com/story/lesya-ukrainka-amp-theater-music/JAUxdS2XiJyMLg?hl=en

Picture No 3: Commemorative coin on the occasion of the writer’s 150^th Birth Anniversary.|© National Bank of Ukraine |Painters: Volodymyr Taran, Oleksandr Kharuk & Serhii Kharuk, Sculptors: Roman Chaikovskyi, Volodymyr Atamanchuk

Picture No 4: Sketch for costume of Forest Elf, a woodland sprite, for the play ‘’Forest Song’’ (1922) │©The Museum of Theatre, Music and Cinema of Ukraine │Artist: Matvii Drak

Courtesy of the Department of International Cooperation and Protocol, Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine

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