Honoring Kobzar is already a tradition for Lviv Polytechnic. This year was no exception. On March 10, despite the war in the country, Polytechnic organized and held a literary and artistic evening at Lviv National Philharmonic.
The event was prepared by the structural division of Lviv Polytechnic – Prosvita People’s House, the head of which is Stepan Shalata, Honored Worker of Culture of Ukraine. Such University bands as Polyphonia Chamber Orchestra, Suziria Pop Song Ensemble, Zaspiv National Female Bandore Band and others took part in the evening.
The literary and artistic event began with a powerful performance of Shevchenko’s famous work «Testament», in which Kobzar appeals to the future generations of Ukrainians with a call to fight for freedom, which they are trying to take away from us again. The words of this poem are more significant for us than ever and have already become the leitmotif of our days.
Oh bury me, then rise ye up
And break your heavy chains
And water with the tyrants’ blood
The freedom you have gained.
(Translation by John Weir)
«Testament», as usual, was performed delicately and with great scrupulousness by the Gaudeamus National Students’ Choir, filling the hall with the greatness and power of Shevchenko’s words. The audience, as it should be, listened to it standing, catching every word and enjoying a beautiful performance, which ended with a storm of applause. In addition to «Testament», such notable Shevchenko’s works as «The Cold Ravine», «Muse», «Caucasus», «The Mighty Dnipro» and other poems were also presented.
Khochu Theatrical Studio impressed with its performance of «The Cold Ravine». The passion with which the participants presented the work made everybody listen to Shevchenko’s words, and actor’s movements added even greater drama to Kobzar’s immortal words. In this work, Shevchenko appeals to wealthy people who do not join the struggle for the liberation of Ukraine, but on the contrary – distance themselves from their people. The actors managed to convey the entire essence of the work. At the end of their performance, they expressed their gratitude and respect to the soldiers who defend our country today.
The evening ended with the overture to the opera «Taras Bulba» masterfully performed by the People’s Symphony Orchestra, the Gaudeamus National Students’ Choir and the Orpheus National Male Choir led by Roman Kreslenko. The audience stood and applauded the performers, and they in turn clapped back, expressing gratitude.
At the end of the evening, Yurii Bobalo, the Rector of Lviv Polytechnic, expressed his gratitude to Stepan Shalat, director of the Prosvita People’s House, the Honored Worker of Culture and to the performing bands for their contribution to the annual commemoration of Taras Shevchenko’s birth and for the masterful performance of works that became the leitmotif of our days.
You can also get acquainted with the impressions of two other students of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Lviv Polytechnic, who were present at the literary and artistic evening:
