Ukrainian theatre and cinema

The theatre originated in Ukraine under Western influence in the 17th century. Intermedia (verse dialogue) rapidly developed into a specific genre - the social theatre - whose repertoire included drama­tization of Christian legends, historical drama and a puppet play «vertep», performed on a stage of two levels. The best example of a historical play was Teofan Prokopovych's «Vladimir» (1705). In the 19th century a Ukrainian ethnographic theatre developed and folk plays and vaudeville were raised to a high level of artistry by such actors as Mykola Sadovsky and Maria Zankovetska. The beginning of the 20th century saw the dramas by Lesya Ukraynka (who introduced both ancient Greek and Shakespearean techniques to the Ukrainian stage) and plays by Volodymyr Vinnychenko and Oleksander Oles, who was an innovator in symbolic plays.

Speak on the following:

The theatre is much older than the cinema. Do you think it will live longer?

A few years ago theatre and cinema were more popular than they are now. Can you explain why

many people now prefer to watch films and plays without leaving their houses?

Some schoolchildren hate going to the theatre. Do you know why

Many cinemas of our city have been turned into discos, exhibition halls and even into banks and

offices. Do you think cinema is losing its popularity?

How many friends or schoolmates of yours like opera and ballet? Can you say that they are many?

Why young people like «lighter» musical genres more than serious music?

Folk songs exist in any culture and they have been sung for centuries. How can you explain their

long life? . ' ■ .

Can you say that pop music belongs only to the young?

Do you belong to museum-goers? If yes, what museums do you prefer: art, science, curiosity?

Do you have any favourite painters whose pictures you would like to have in your room? Who are

they?

What do you think about abstract art? Do you understand it?

Lesson 8 Well-Known Ukrainian Artists

Read the Text

My favourite ukrainian writer

Vasyl Simonenko is one of the greatest and most popular Ukrainian poets . He began to write his poems when he was studing at the Kyiv University. It was in the middle of 1950-s, but Vasyl didn't hurry to publish them. So his first book of poems "Silence and Thunder" appeared in 1962, and this was great period of the Ukrainian poetry revival . We admire the great world of Simonenko's poetry as a whole, and each of us finds some special lines for himself which open Simonenko's great and generous heart for us, his simphathy and respect for the Ukrainian people. I hope no one is challenging the view that the new name which was worth attention of contemporaries appeared.

Vasyl Simonenko was born in1935 in village of Biyevtsi in Poltava region. In 1952 he left a secondary school and entered the Kyiv University at the department of journalism. His father died when Vasyl was a little boy and his life was rather hard. Those were the years of sufferings,the most difficult years of his life. Later he described his hard life and poverty in his poems.

Vasyl Simonenko is not only a great poet, he is a perfect man combining brilliant talent with civil courage and moral integrity. His name is associated with love for his Motherland, native language and the best in our life.

His individual style of writing attracts attention of many readers. His poetry created a new type of poerty - a poerty of love for people and native land.

Hundreds of new concepts had appeared in our language in the years that passed since his death, but not a single word of these poems became obsolete. The old forms of life went to the past, but everything written by Simonenko continues to live. His poem "The Shore of Expections" gained a wide audience.

Vasil Simonenko died in 1963, but his feelings and views still correspond to the views and feelings of Ukrainian people.

Whatever Simonenko's work we read we see portrayal of Ukrainian life, Ukrainian soul, the life in Ukrainian land, the Ukrainian people.

to appear ........................................	показуватися, з'являтися
to admire ........................................	захоплюватися
generous .......................................	щедрий, великодушний
sympathy ........................................	симпатія
respect .........................................	повага
to challenge.....................................	претендувати
to occupy an outstanding place.......	займати видатне місце
to prove the fact..............................	підтверджувати факт
combine brilliant tallent and civil	поєднувати блискучий талант та
courage...........................................	громадянську сміливість
poverty ...........................................	бідність
to attract attention .........................	привертати увагу
concept...........................................	поняття
obsolete .........................................	застарілий, вiдживший
to gain a wide audience....................	завоювати широку аудиторі
to correspond..................................	відповідати
portrayal.........................................	зображення
soul.................................................	душа

Answer the Questions:

1) When did the first book of Simonenko’s poems appear ?

2) When was the poet born ?

3) What did he finish ?

4) What can you say about his childhood ?

5) What is his name associated with ?