aaus-list @ ukrainianstudies.org -- [aaus-list] Tomorrow: Nights in the Village of Dykanka

[Diana Howansky <dhh2@columbia.edu>]

The Christmas season is coming and, with it, the time when all kinds of 
miracles happen. Would you like to work a little miracle for yourself? 
To extract yourself for one evening from the frenzied shopping and 
studying, and immerse yourself into the Gogolian world of humor, 
Ukrainian folklore, and make-believe? Then come to the December 2005 
event of the Ukrainian Film Club of Columbia University.  We will be 
screening another Soviet classic:

“Eve Before Christmas or Nights in the Village of Dykanka”

This full-length feature, written and directed by Aleksandr Rou in 1961, 
is based on the writings of Mykola Hohol (known throughout the world as 
Nikolay Gogol). In the film, being very true to Hohol’s work, reality 
and magic go hand in hand. The action takes place in the 18th century, 
near the Ukrainian village of Dykanka (Poltava Oblast).

The protagonist, blacksmith Vakula, is enamored with Oksana, the first 
beauty of Dykanka.  But Oksana presents an apparently impossible 
requirement for her hand in marriage: she wants Vakula to bring her the 
shoes that the tsarina wears.  Vakula’s adventures begin when the 
habitual rural life suddenly turns magical on the eve of Christmas. 
Vakula must communicate with the former kozak and now sorcerer Patsyuk, 
who becomes his guide through the magical world.

The script, loyal to the “household fantasy” of Hohol, as well as to the 
imagery of the typical Ukrainian village and Ukrainian Christmas 
traditions portrayed wonderfully on the set of the film.  The Ukrainian 
culture, unique in its form and style, is beautifully portrayed in every 
aspect of the movie.

The film will be shown in its original Russian version, peppered with 
some Ukrainian idiom and subtitled into English.

Before the feature presentation, clips of Ukrainian popular groups VV 
and Okean Elzy will be shown.

Introduction by Yuri Shevchuk, director of the Ukrainian Film Club of 
Columbia University, who will also lead the discussion after the screening.

When: December 8, 2005, Thursday, 7:30 PM.
Where: Room 614, Schermerhorn Hall, Columbia University
***Note the change of venue***

On the occasion of Christmas Holidays, the co-sponsor of this event, the 
Ukrainian Student Society of Columbia University, will offer a Ukrainian 
Food Extravaganza with authentic Ukrainian food and drinks for the audience.

Free admission.

-- 
Diana Howansky
Staff Associate
Ukrainian Studies Program
Columbia University
Room 1209, MC3345
420 W. 118th Street
New York, NY  10027
(212) 854-4697
ukrainianstudies@columbia.edu
http://www.sipa.columbia.edu/ukrainianstudies/