Shadows of forgotten ancestors

In a small Hutsul village in the Carpathian Mountains of Ukraine, a young man, Ivan, falls in love with the daughter of the man who killed his father. Though their families share a bitter enmity, Ivan and Marichka have known each other since childhood. In preparation for their marriage, Ivan leaves the village to work and earn money for a household. While he is gone, Marichka accidentally slips into a river and drowns while trying to rescue a lost lamb. Ivan returns and falls into despair after seeing her body. He continues to work, enduring a period of joyless toil, until he meets another woman, Palagna, while shoeing a horse. Ivan and Palagna get married in a traditional Hutsul wedding in which they are blindfolded and yoked together. The marriage quickly turns sour, however, as Ivan remains obsessed with the memory of Marichka. Estranged from her emotionally distant husband, Palagna becomes involved with a local sorcerer, while Ivan begins to experience hallucinations.

At a tavern, Ivan witnesses the sorcerer embrace Palagna and strike one of his friends. Roused into an uncharacteristic fury, Ivan snatches up his axe, only to be struck down by the sorcerer. Ivan stumbles into the nearby woods and perceives Marichka's spirit to be with him, reflected in the water and gliding amongst the trees. As reality merges into dream, the colorless shade of Marichka reaches out across a great space and touches Ivan's outstretched hand. Ivan screams and dies. The community gives him a traditional Hutsul burial while children watch through crossbraced windows.

Which of the following statements are true and which are false? Correct the false sentences.

1. Marichka’s father killed Ivan’s father.

2. Marichka died because she wanted to save a lamb.

3. Ivan met Palagna while riding a horse.

4. Ivan could forget his Marichka and was happy with Palagna.

5. Palagna was very sad when Ivan died.

6. Ivan’s death is a tragedy.

 

Lesson 66.

Ukrainian festivals and contests

READING

Read the text.

Among the cultural and art measures that promote Ukraine's integration with the world community the International Competition for Young Pianists in Memory of Vladimir Horowitz figures prominently. The Competition founded in 1995 commemorates a memory of our eminent compatriot, legendary pianist Vladimir Horowitz. His name is in the list of "Famous Ukrainians".738 young musicians from 32 countries have taken part in the competition so far. Victory in the Competition is honourable and high recommendation for a performer. The International Serge Lyfar Ballet Competition has been held in Kyiv since 1994, and the “Serge Lifar de la dance” festival since 1995, in honour of our famous countryman.

The festival “Molodist” takes place in Kyiv every year in the last week of October. Molodist means "youth" in Ukrainian, and the festival is dedicated to film debuts and student films.

There are also such cinematography festivals as “Krok” (Dnipro, Volga), “The Open Night” (Andriivsky Uzviz, Kyiv).

Among the all-Ukrainian festivals there are many of them which are devoted to Ukrainian folk music and folklore. The all-Ukrainian festival-competition “From the Folk Source” for young singers takes place every year in Rivne in March. There is also “The Silver Horseshoe” (Lviv), “Music Toloka” (Rivne), “New Names” (Rivne), and “Step to Stars” (Kyiv). Oleg Skrypka is one of the founders of “The Country of Dreams” – Kyiv folk festival that is held every year on Kupala’s Day (July, 6-7).

In 1989 the first Chervona Ruta Music Festival was held in Chernivtsi in Western Ukraine. Chervona Ruta was the name of an immensely popular love song written by Volodymyr Ivasiuk, a pop culture icon. Now the festival of popular music is held in Kyiv. Among other festivals and competitions of popular music are “Tavria Games” (Scadovsk), “Kazantip” (Popovka, near Yevpatoria) – festival of Progressive, Electro, House, DrumNbass, Dance music.

2. READING COMPREHENSION

A. Answer the following questions:

¯Are there any festivals of classic music in Ukraine?

¯When was Horowitz competition found?

¯How many countries are there among competitors?

¯Do you know any dance competition?

¯What dancer it is named after?

¯What cinematography festivals are there in Ukraine?

¯What are they dedicated to?

¯What Ukrainian city is famous for its numerous folk festivals?

¯What rock musician is the founder of one of them?

¯Whose song gave its name to Chervona Ruta Music Festival?