Musical and theatrical evenings as a form of leisure of interned Ukrainians in the Strzalkowo camp (Poland) in 1921-1922

Срібняк, Ігор Володимирович and Палієнко, Марина Ганнадіївна (2024) Musical and theatrical evenings as a form of leisure of interned Ukrainians in the Strzalkowo camp (Poland) in 1921-1922 Світ Кліо, 5 (1-2). pp. 19-32. ISSN 2709-3875

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Abstract

The article deals with the role and significance of musical and theatrical evenings held for interned Ukrainians in the Strzalkowo camp (1921-1922) primarily in order to strengthen their morale. Despite all the difficulties of existence, the camp artists found opportunities to bring at least short moments of entertainment into the lives of the internees, giving them a sense of optimism and hope for a quick overcoming of all troubles. And although due to limited resources and fatigue of the artists, not all events were meaningful and fun, they are still a special atmosphere of emotional unity for all Ukrainian soldiers. The cultural and artistic life of interned Ukrainians in Strzalkowo has always remained an important part of the camp's everyday life of the military, which in conditions of isolation and isolation from their homeland especially needed positive emotions. Amateur artists, united in several drama groups, and choristers led by Dmytro Kotko gave emotional comfort and rest to the campers. From the very beginning of its activity in the Strzalkowo camp, the Ukrainian Amateur Theatres became the core link of cultural and organizational work, and even more so – the centre of the informal life of the campers. An important part of the interns' artistic space remained musical groups – string and brass bands. And although at first the playfulness of the camp musicians left much to be desired, over time their performing skills have improved significantly. Moreover, the performances of the mandolin orchestra made the listeners forget about the gray routine of the camp's existence. The performances of the camp drama and art groups were important for raising the morale of the internees, while satisfying their nostalgic feelings for their own home and homeland. All musical and artistic evenings were national in content and spirit, thus contributing to the spiritual consolidation of the interned army. As a result, the daily lives of Ukrainian soldiers and members of their families were filled with constructive content, and they also served as an effective means of combating the despair and frustration that permeated the interned Ukrainian army. A bright trace in the life of the camp was left by the arrival in the first half of October to Strzalkowo «School of National Dance» (leader – V. Avramenko) from Kalisz, who presented to the campers her dance program. Her performance won the highest recognition of the campers, who were completely delighted with the performances of the soloists of the dance troupe, and in particular, the artist Kozhukhar. The internees saw in him a real ballet dancer and in his works real ballet dances, which led to believe in the «bright future» of Ukrainian ballet, which would be based on national rhythms. The same purpose was served by the celebration of national holidays (in particular – «Shevchenko's days»), which were traditionally attended by all cultural and artistic centres’ of the camp. Their programs necessarily included the performance of the national anthem, after which the Ukrainian word was spoken to the campers from the stage of the camp theatre – by means of national dramatic art, song and music. This «triad» complemented each other, which created a «cumulative» effect, affecting the hearts and souls of Ukrainian soldiers. The joint efforts of camp artists, choristers and musicians significantly contributed to overcoming the threatening tendency to degrade and disperse the interned Army of the Ukrainian People's Republic in the Strzalkowo camp.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	musical and theatrical evenings; choir; orchestra; interned Ukrainian soldiers; Strzalkowo camp; Army of the Ukrainian People's Republic; Poland
Subjects:	Статті у періодичних виданнях > Інші (не входять ні до фахових, ні до баз даних)
Divisions:	Факультет суспільно-гуманітарних наук > Кафедра всесвітньої історії
Depositing User:	професор Ігор Володимирович Срібняк
Date Deposited:	20 May 2025 08:47
Last Modified:	20 May 2025 08:47
URI:	https://elibrary.kubg.edu.ua/id/eprint/51844

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