Ukrainian cultural traditions in Canada: Theatre, choral music and dance, 1891-1967.
Creators: name: Pritz, Alexandra.
Publisher: name: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Year: 1977
Subjects: subject: Dance.

description: The Ukrainians in Canada have, as a group, endeavoured to preserve and propagate their cultural traditions in their adopted homeland from the arrival of the first settlers in 1891 to the present day. They have attempted to mold themselves by means of their own cultural traditions, as a separate ethnic entity, possessing their own innate values and distinct cultural characteristics. These efforts have been particularly notable in the areas of theatre, choral music and dance. Numerous factors necessitated Ukrainian emigration from Ukraine and each of the three waves of Ukrainian immigration to Canada differed from each other in terms of the economic position, educational level and political-national orientation of its members. These differences reflected themselves in organized community life and affected all Ukrainian theatrical, choral and dance activity in this country. Ukrainian theatre was extremely popular among Ukrainian Canadians, particularly during the 1920's and 1930's, at which time hundreds of amateur groups flourished across the country. Theatrical performances were seen as a means of creative expression for the participants, as a pedagogical tool useful in awakening cultural awareness among the audience, and as an acceptable way of raising funds for further community work. For the most part, the theatrical repertoire staged in Canada was written by authors in Ukraine with ethnographic plays being most popular with Canadian audiences. Ukrainian Canadian dramatists also wrote many plays which often dealt with recent events in Ukraine/or in Canada that were of topical interest. Choral singing has remained consistently popular among Ukrainian Canadians and has been widely used during their religious services, as part of Ukrainian nusical theatre and as an artistic tradition in its own right. Since choral music was a popular means of familiarising non-Ukrainians with the Ukrainian cultural heritage, many choral performances were presented by various Ukrainian choirs before their fellow Canadian citizens. A tremendous role in the development of Ukrainian choral music in Canada can be accredited to Oleksander Koshyts', first through the tour of his Ukrainian National Choir and later, through his involvement with the Educational Summer Courses. Although dance was a relative newcomer to the cultural scene in comparison to the two other fields of cultural activity discussed, it quickly gained acceptance and has remained the favourite form of cultural expression, especially among the younger generation. Vasyl' Avramenko's name is synonymous with Ukrainian dance in Canada and his influence extended far beyond his brief two year stay in this country. Great changes occurred in the Ukrainian dance movement following World. War II with the formation of strong, performing dance ensembles. As a result of performances by visiting professional dance companies from the Soviet Union and the availability of published material on Ukrainian dance from the Soviet Ukraine, the Ukrainian dance repertoire in Canada has undergone distinct changes. The first Ukrainian immigrants arrived in Canada as "men in sheepskin coats" whose "desirability" as future Canadian citizens was questioned. Through their hard work and industry, the Ukrainians earned the trust and respect of their fellow Canadian citizens. Through their maintenance and propagation of cultural traditions, the Ukrainians gained their admiration as well.