Three of Ukraine’s most celebrated dancers have made an arduous journey from war-torn Kyiv to Adelaide, Australia, to conduct a week-long traditional dance masterclass. This unique event, the first of its kind in Australia, has attracted participants from across the nation, culminating in a fundraiser concert scheduled for Saturday.
The trio, members of the prestigious Pavlo Virsky Ukrainian National Folk Dance Ensemble, endured a 49-hour trip to escape Kyiv by train, continuing their journey to Australia via Dubai. Among them is Maksym Karpenko, an Honoured Artist of Ukraine, a title awarded by the President of Ukraine to individuals who have demonstrated professional mastery in their field for over a decade.
Preserving Ukrainian Culture Through Dance
Maksym Karpenko and his wife Viktoriia, also an Honoured Artist, are determined to uphold and promote Ukrainian culture through their art. “We’re here to uphold that culture and push it forward,” Viktoriia Karpenko remarked.
Joining them is Tetiana Okseniuk, a ballet artist with the Virsky Ensemble, who describes Ukrainian dance as a fusion of ballet and traditional folk styles, calling it the “cherry on top of Ukrainian culture.” She emphasized the importance of sharing this cultural heritage in its purest form, allowing others to appreciate its sophistication.
“That’s why it’s important to share this culture in this perfect shape here, so people can be more professional and look really sophisticated,” said Ms. Okseniuk.
A Unique Learning Opportunity
Juliana Moravski, the artistic director of the Ukrainian community dance ensemble Verchovyna in Melbourne, traveled to South Australia to participate. She expressed her excitement at learning directly from the Virsky Ensemble, describing it as a “huge honor.”
Participants are engaged in intensive sessions from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. “I’m learning about muscles I didn’t know I had,” Moravski quipped, noting her eagerness to bring newly perfected skills back to her dance studio in Melbourne.
“To know that the quality of Ukrainian dance and culture is going to be lifted in Australia and passing that legacy on to the future generations, it’s going to be really exciting to see,” she said.
Amid Joy, a Reminder of Home
Despite the joy and excitement surrounding the workshop, the harsh realities of life in Ukraine remain ever-present. “It’s very unsafe. Very dangerous. Every day there’s sirens, many bombings that you can hear,” Viktoriia Karpenko shared, highlighting the constant threat faced by those back home.
Maksym Karpenko recounted the tragic loss of a fellow dancer who died shortly after joining the front line. “There was a man who finished his career in our dance ensemble — he went to the front line — within three days he was dead,” he said, underscoring the personal impact of the ongoing conflict.
“Our nation will never die. It will always be alive,” Maksym Karpenko affirmed.
Tetiana Okseniuk echoed these sentiments, acknowledging the ever-present danger and the importance of focusing on positivity and resilience. “Life is so short, so you just have to be happy,” she said.
Building Cultural Bridges
For Australian-Ukrainian dancers, the workshop represents a shared experience of both pain and cultural pride. Michelle Gorgula, the workshop facilitator and artistic director for Adelaide’s VOLYA Ukrainian Cossack Dancers, described the event as a “uniting process.”
“It’s never far from the surface for our instructors and for members of our community,” Gorgula noted, emphasizing the strength and positivity displayed by participants.
The dancers are preparing for a special performance at the Association of Ukrainians in SA’s community center, with entry by donation and an auction of items signed by Ukrainian soldiers to raise funds for Ukraine’s defenders.
“We’re learning traditional choreography which is the work of the legendary Pavlo Virsky. He’s the legend of Ukrainian dance … and has really shaped Ukrainian dance folk culture,” Gorgula said.
This workshop not only strengthens cultural ties but also serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience and spirit of the Ukrainian people during challenging times.
