Lehenda Ukrainian Dance Company presents KAZKA: A FAIRYTALE OF LOVE, LOSS… AND A MYSTERIOUS BLUE FOX
KAZKA is a fairytale of love, loss … and a mysterious blue fox. An original folk ballet inspired by Ukrainian fairytales, KAZKA has been created by Melanie Moravski Dechnicz, Merited Artist of Ukraine. This unique full-length folk ballet, captivates and engages young and old alike. It’s a tale of love, betrayal and supernatural spirits, where woodland creatures dance in the moonlight and beautiful young maidens toss garlands of flowers into a river, wondering from whence their lovers would appear.
KAZKA is an exciting and innovative production, performed by a stellar cast of 30 outstanding dancers. Featuring high-energy dancing and traditional Cossack acrobatics by Australia’s premier Ukrainian dance ensemble, Kazka is spell-binding!
Director Melanie Moravski Dechnicz said:
Ukrainian dance is joyful, energetic, and fun! It represents the spirit of the Ukrainian nation and Ukrainians in the diaspora. 10 years ago, ‘Kazka’ came to life! Sharing beautiful Ukrainian fairy tales and literature, it gives an insight into Ukrainian culture in a fun and very accessible way. Celebrating our 10th anniversary, it seemed fitting to bring it back, especially after the last 2 very heavy years.
Since the beginning of the current brutal invasion of Ukraine the importance of our work has taken on a deeper meaning. My whole life I have been performing and advocating for Ukrainian culture. It has been my aim through the creation of Lehenda to teach all of Australia about Ukrainian dance and the beautiful Ukrainian culture and its traditions. In February of 2022 the importance of this work became unmistakable.
Together with the company dancers, we felt the need to express the pain, worry and anger we were feeling. We remounted our work ‘Kyiv’ in 2023 which tells the story of the Discovery of the city of Kyiv, but progresses forward in time to show the city’s and the people of Ukraine’s resilience, endurance and their constant fight for freedom. The fight that continues today – an invasion that belongs in a different century. Over the last few years we have welcomed dancers from Ukraine who have joined our company and are currently still performing. It has been a pleasure to welcome these beautiful Ukrainians into our Lehenda family. Many times we have been told how grateful they are to have a part of home here in Australia – a place they can belong and communicate easily.
Ukrainian culture is rich and diverse and will not, can not be eradicated. We will continue to share this culture, through performance, rehearsal and teaching our youth. Ukrainian dance is a fabulous, technical, and challenging dance style that all can enjoy, either through participation or being an audience member. Many members of our company do not have Ukrainian heritage but have fallen in love firstly with the dance style and now also the culture! We invite everyone to discover and enjoy KAZKA – A Fairytale of love, loss… and a mysterious blue fox!
Celebrating 10 years, Lehenda Ukrainian Dance Company and The Lehenda School are based in Melbourne. Under the Artistic Direction of Merited Artist of Ukraine, Melanie Moravski Dechnicz, it shares the vibrant Ukrainian culture.
Lehenda is made up of over 30 dancers both of Ukrainian and non-Ukrainian heritage who perform with pride, passion and embody the true soul of Ukrainian culture.
The Lehenda School leads Ukrainian Dance Training in Australia, offering classes in Ukrainian dance and Ballet. In their 10 year history Lehenda has wowed audiences across Australia, Canada and the USA.
Lehenda perform regularly at many mainstream festivals, events and private functions and have also toured with 4 full length productions and a dance film: KAZKA – fairytale of love, loss … and a mysterious blue fox (national and international), LEGEND – Stories of a Nation (national) RAZOM – Two Nations one Spirit (national), LEHENDA – Ukrainian Soul, Australian Soil, Lehenda Film series: Pryvit.
Lehenda is honoured to represent Ukrainian culture. It is our mission to advocate for Ukrainian culture through dance, to our fellow Australians and the world.
| VICTORIA
The National Theatre, St Kilda 20 Carlisle St, St Kilda VIC 3182 Saturday April 27th, 2pm and 7.30pm Tickets (on sale now): https://nationaltheatre.org.au/events-list/kazka/ |
NEW SOUTH WALES
NIDA Parade Theatre 215 Anzac Pde Kensington New South Wales 2033 Saturday June 1st 7pm NSW Tickets (ticket details coming soon) |
