Archive: The Forest Song - Grand Kyiv Ballet
About the show
In April 2024, Grand Kyiv Ballet will present one of Ukraine's most beautiful ballets, "The Forest Song," in the Scandinavian countries. The skill and elegance of the dancers at Grand Kyiv Ballet cannot fail to touch the audience. The artists of Grand Kyiv Ballet perform on stages in Europe, America, and Australia.
"The Forest Song" is a legendary ballet that has been a pride of Ukrainian choreography for over 75 years. This ballet celebrates the emotions of romance and the purity of classical ballet technique. The ballet has become part of the golden archive of Ukrainian musical culture.
The ballet is based on the play of the same name, "The Forest Song" (1911), by the Ukrainian author Lesya Ukrainka, who played a prominent role in the revival of the national cultural heritage. The beautiful and lyrical music by the Ukrainian composer Mykhailo Skorulsky was written for the ballet in 1936. The premiere took place in 1946. The music is romantic and filled with folkloric elements and descriptions of nature through the language of music.
"The Forest Song" is an enchanting tale of love between the forest fairy Mavka and the young boy Lukash. The worlds of humans and nature interact, and love, betrayal, despair, and the inability to forget the magical moment of love unfold. It is a story of how a person's fate changes when the connection with nature is lost and one stops hearing its voices. It is the story of the fearless and brave Mavka who strives for peace in her own world, just as Ukraine fights for freedom and peace for its country today.
The relationship between Mavka and Lukash develops gradually and coincides with the changing seasons. Just like in Lesya Ukrainka's play, spring is the beginning of Lukash and Mavka's acquaintance and relationship in the ballet. Summer represents the blossoming of their love and the fertility of the Ukrainian land. Autumn symbolizes Lukash's betrayal when he marries another woman. In winter, Mavka and Lukash die, and their souls meet in the world of eternity.
The ballet is filled with mythological figures from Ukrainian tales, popularized by folk music in the ancient forests and vast fields. When Mykhailo Skorulsky worked on the ballet, he created a true tribute to living nature and genuine love. The theme and dialogue between humans and nature have not only retained their relevance but also reached a whole new level.
The ballet is filled with complex duets, pirouettes, fouetté, and incredible choreographic patterns. Legends of enchanted creatures in the forest seem to come to life on stage and are intertwined with the dancers' magical movements. Every detail of the performance works together to create a true fairy tale experience for both adults and children.
Wheelchair seating can be booked via Ticketmaster by phone: 0771 70 70 70 or via Cirkus at: tickets@cirkus.se
