Reactualization of the Works of Ivan Karpenko-Karyi in Modern Ukrainian Theatrical and Film Texts as the Fragments of Common Artistic Space

Author

Mekh Nataliia

a Doctor of Philology, a professor, a head of the Screen, Stage Arts and Culturology Department of M. Rylskyi Institute of Art Studies, Folkloristics and Ethnology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (Kyiv, Ukraine).

ORCID ID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5846-505X

Reactualization of the Works of Ivan Karpenko-Karyi in Modern Ukrainian Theatrical and Film Texts as the Fragments of Common Artistic Space

Abstract

Attention is paid in the article to the reactualization of the heritage of the iconic figure of Ukrainian culture – the jubilee of 2025 – Ivan Karpenko-Karyi and his play “The Master”. We consider the rethinking and interpretation of this work in the modern Ukrainian artistic space, in particular in modern Ukrainian theatrical and film texts.

The play “The Master” at different times of Ukrainian culture was included in the repertoires of many Ukrainian theaters, becoming an example of realistic dramaturgy and acting skills. It reflects the continuity of the tradition of the “Theater of Coryphaei” – the first professional Ukrainian theatrical society known to us, founded by the Tobilevich brothers and Marko Kropyvnytskyi.

Outstanding literary works have been created in the past epochs. They represent artistic value and are relevant in their issues for the modern reader and viewer. The play “Master” by Ivan Karpenko-Karyi is one of such literary texts. We observe its reactualization in modern Ukrainian theater and cinema.

In 2022 the Ukrainian series fiction “The Master” is released. It is created after the motifs of the social comedy of the outstanding playwright. This is a modern audiovisual cultural product, a television film in 4 episodes, where the interaction and conflict between generations are presented in the light of the condemnation of extortion and accumulation, which are present in human life, in particular the main character Terentii Puzyr. Attention is focused on the character of Puzyr, whose part has been played talentedly by the People’s Artist of Ukraine Bohdan Beniuk, and absence of moral improvement and directing wealth for the public good.

We note the reactualization of the works of I. Karpenko-Karyi and completely fresh artistic novelties of 2023–2024. On November 28, 2023, the Ukrainian theater space has been replenished with a modern innovative interpretation of the outstanding work of Ivan Karpovych Tobilevych. Thus, the production of “The Master” at the Kyiv Academic Drama Theater in Podil becomes a significant cultural event. The young and extremely productive director-producer Ivan Uryvskyi presents his vision of satirical comedy, adapting the classics to modern realities.

The Ukrainian war drama “The Master 2. On the Own Land”, directed by Taras Tkachenko and Zaza Buadze, is a continuation of the series “The Master” (2022). It is shot after the motifs of the play by Ivan Karpenko-Karyi and is presented on Ukrainian television on October 13, 2024.

This film text is an extremely valuable cultural product that reflects the realities of the Russian-Ukrainian war of the 21st century, documents and interprets artistically recent terrible events, showing the incredible strength of spirit, indomitability and struggle of Ukrainians for freedom and the right to live on their land, for dignity, for a free future. The importance of courage, unity and love for their native land is emphasized in the film, inspiring the viewer to value every person, life and country.

Responding to the challenges of contemporaneity, especially after February 24, 2022, Ukrainian theatrical and film texts have become a powerful voice of resistance. There is a demand for such artistic products those show realistically the struggle of Ukrainians for freedom, celebrate the indomitability of the Ukrainian spirit, and reveal the horizons of Ukrainian identity and originality, the singer of which is Ivan Karpenko-Karyi, whose glorious anniversary is celebrated by Ukrainian cultural community this year.

Keywords

theater, cinema, common artistic space, film, film text, theatrical text, Ivan Karpenko-Karyi’s play “The Master”.

References

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