Theatrical and Musical Component of Camp Everyday Life of Ukrainian Prisoners of War in Wetzlar Camp, Germany, March 1917 – May 1918 (on materials of ‘Hromadska Dumka’ newspaper)
Abstract
The purpose of the research paper is to shed light on the primary areas of activity of M. Lysenko Musical and Drama Society within the Ukrainian prisoner camp in Wetzlar, as well as to analyze the main artistic achievements of the camp theater, choir, and orchestra during March 1917 – May 1918.
The scientific novelty is in the fact that thanks to the frontal analysis of the mentioned camp newspaper materials, it becomes possible to reconstruct comprehensively the repertoire of the camp theater, as well as the specifics of the performances of the choir and orchestra, which had the opportunity to perform not only for the prisoners but also for the residents of the town of Wetzlar.
Conclusions. Ukrainian theater occupied a central place in the cultural and artistic life of the prisoners, and for the most part, plays by Ukrainian playwrights were staged on its stage. Although all the roles in the theater (including women’s) were performed by non-professional amateur actors from among the prisoners with the appropriate unschooled acting talents, such a feature made the plays staged on its stage, especially close to the prisoners’ hearts. The theater’s influence on the camp inmates’ consciousness was enhanced by music, singing, and dancing, which were often ‘entangled’ into the performances, additionally giving them a touch of realism in depicting the everyday life of a Ukrainian village. The actors, as well as the choir members and musicians, were involved in preparing camp ‘holidays’ and traditional Ukrainian gatherings (vechornytsi), which had a distinct national and educational ‘text and subtext’.
The activities of the camp artistic groups (Ukrainian theater, folk choir, and amateur orchestra) allowed to intensify the process of national awareness and patriotic education of Ukrainian prisoners, thanks to which a large cohort of Ukrainian citizens, devoted to their Motherland, was nurtured in Wetzlar. Under the influence of Ukrainian art, a considerable number of Ukrainian prisoners of war awakened to active public and political life and showed their readiness to take up arms to defend their native land from the Bilshovyk invasion.
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