Folk Creative Sources Helpful in Curing Disease

Numerous physical disorders are effectively treated at the Truskavets spa. Also, human souls can be revived by treatment using the local sources of folk creative talent, as people on resort staff gather at the Taras Shevchenko Palace of Culture’s Myr Movie Theater after work and stage amateur concerts.

Before the concert, visitors can explore a display of original articles made from poplar and dry flowers, arranged in the lobby. Their spirits brightened by folk creativity, they enter the audience and are greeted by a choir and dancers clad in colorful Ukrainian costumes that keep them in a good mood for the next hour and a half, making them forget about their ills, if only temporarily

On one particular occasion a children’s pipe playing group performed several songs and then a little girl sang “A Cuckoo Flew.” She had such a beautiful voice that many in the audience had tears in their eyes.

This wonderful performance at the palace was received with great enthusiasm by all present — Ukrainians, Russians, Belarusians, Georgians, and others. The concert ended in an ovation and bouquets brought onstage as a sign of deep respect for the performers.

Oh, Ukrainian song, how many times you have cheered people, brought them fresh strength and stamina, enabled people to survive in time of ordeal! I recalled my childhood. During the war, my mother (she was a schoolteacher of Ukrainian language and literature), my elder sister, and I were evacuated to Tobolsk [Western Siberia]. We had a poor command of Siberian-accented Russian and we had no valuables on us. Yet this did not prevent kind-hearted Russians from making us welcome, as though we were relatives, sharing with us their last crust of bread, last piece of clothing, and warm bed. Together it was easier to survive the hard years, especially the official notice of other father’s being killed in action.

Surprisingly, the Siberians who could not speak Ukrainian were eager to listen to Ukrainian songs (my mother knew many and sang them beautifully, as she had sung with a folk choir and taught them to my sister and me). On every occasion they would ask us to sing “The Nightingales are Laughing and Crying” and “Oh, Wind, Blow to Ukraine” and other such heartfelt songs several times.

While in Truskavets, it is also very interesting to go to a concert by the Dzherela Karpat [Carpathian Springs] Folk Ensemble. One is captivated by their soulful, typically mountain valley tunes and fiery dances complimented by richly decorated costumes.

I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to the artistic directors and performers of the three groups for selflessly serving Ukrainian culture and preserving the folk heritage.

V. NOVYTSKY , Kyiv