On 16 June, Sumy National Agrarian University hosted celebrations to mark the 40th anniversary of the ‘Vesna’ folk dance ensemble — one of the university’s most renowned artistic groups, which has been an integral part of its cultural life for four decades.
The ensemble’s history began in 1986, when it was founded by its long-standing artistic director and choreographer, Olha HETMANENKO. It was her professionalism, creative vision and dedication to the arts that laid the foundations for the company’s development; in 1998, it was awarded the honorary title of ‘People’s Ensemble’ and has since lived up to this distinction through its work.
Over the years, the ensemble has become a true creative family for several generations of students. Its members have repeatedly represented SNAU and Ukraine at international folk festivals and competitions in Poland, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Turkey, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and other countries, promoting Ukrainian folk dance far beyond the country’s borders.
Opening the celebrations, Ihor KOVALENKO, Rector of Sumy National Agrarian University, congratulated the ensemble on this significant occasion and thanked its founder and long-standing artistic director, Olha HETMANENKO, for her many years of dedicated service:
‘The art of dance is the language of our people, through which we tell the world of our love for our native land. For 40 years now, the “Vesna” ensemble has been a true flagship of Sumy National Agrarian University, preserving Ukrainian traditions, nurturing young people and bringing fame to our university far beyond its borders. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Olga Yevhenivna for her professionalism, inspiration, tireless work and dedication to a cause that has become part of the history of SNAU.”
Marharita LYSHENKO, Vice-Rector for Research, Teaching and Academic Affairs, and Yurii DANKO, Vice-Rector for Research and International Affairs, highlighted the ensemble’s significant contribution to the development of the university’s cultural life, the preservation of Ukrainian artistic traditions and the nurturing of creative students.
The festive programme brought together the ensemble’s current members, its alumni, friends of the group and lovers of Ukrainian dance. The audience had the chance to enjoy vibrant choreographed pieces such as ‘Hai-hai, hai zelenenkyi…’, ‘Ukrainian Wreath’, ‘Polissia Polka’, ‘From the Fair’, ‘Gulyanochka’, ‘Festive Hopak’ and the finale, ‘Ukraine’. A special treat was provided by performances from the ensemble’s alumni, who presented the choreographed piece ‘Kumy and Kumasi’, proving once again that their love for dance and their home ensemble does not fade with the passing years. The festive atmosphere was further enhanced by the vocal numbers ‘If You Love, Then Love’ performed by Oleksii ALEKSEEV and ‘Odna Kalyna’ performed by Nadiya SHCHERBYNA.
The contemporary ballroom dance ensemble ‘SWAY’, led by Yurii SERGEYEV, also joined in the celebrations, treating the audience to performances of ‘Vyshyvanka’ and ‘Fire Steps’. In addition to this artistic tribute, Yurii Gennadiyovych personally congratulated Olga HETMANENKO on the ensemble’s 40th anniversary, thanking her for her many years of dedication to Ukrainian choreographic art and for nurturing more than one generation of creative young people.
During the celebrations, the following alumni of the ensemble were honoured for their many years of active participation in the artistic life of the group, their significant contribution to the development of its creative reputation, and their role in promoting Ukrainian choreographic art: Svitlana STETSENKO, Halyna REBENKO, Yurii MUSIENKO, Anatolii KRYVETS, Oleksii SKLIAROV and Oleksandr SUKHODUB.
The following members of the ensemble were presented with letters of appreciation from the Rector of SNAU for their high level of musical skill, active concert engagements, dedicated work and significant personal contribution to the preservation and promotion of Ukrainian cultural heritage: Kateryna YEREMENKO, Artem ZHABOTYNSKYI, Yelyzaveta LEONOVA, Anastasia KHARCHENKO, Oleksandr PETRYNA, Yehor KOROPETS, Vadym MOROZ, Tetiana DOVBNIA, Viktoria ROSTOKA, Iryna LYTVYNENKO, Anastasia PRYKHODSKA, Yehor YAKOVENKO, Anastasia TYTOVYCH, Yulia YEVDOKYMENKO, Artem BOIKO, Daniil MORDVYNOV, Viktoria TOKAR, as well as the ensemble’s young members — Eva VORONA, Veronika VYSOKOS and Anastasia MYKHALKO.
Today, ‘Vesna’ is more than just an artistic group. It is an integral part of the history of Sumy National Agrarian University, a place where genuine friendships, family traditions and a love of Ukrainian culture are forged. Through the art of dance, the ensemble has been bringing together generations of students for 40 years, representing the university with distinction both in Ukraine and abroad.
We extend our warmest congratulations to ‘Vesna’ folk dance ensemble, its director Olha HETMANENKO, all the members, alumni and friends of the group on this remarkable anniversary! We wish you new creative achievements, inspiration, brilliant performances and more decades of success.
