The performance «Alla Horska: Stained Glass Windows of Fate» at the M. Maksymovych Scientific Library of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv

A performance of incredible beauty and symbolism took place on the Day of Taras Shevchenko’s reburial.

First, in the M. Maksymovych Scientific Library of the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, the participants had the opportunity to enjoy a very insightful performance “Alla Horska: Stained Glass Windows of Fate” – about the story of the artist who became a symbol of artistic and civic resistance to totalitarianism. Like many sixties artists, she saw Shevchenko as a source of national dignity, truth and strength.

The play is filled with vivid images and allusions that recreate the story in a three-dimensional way. Each image is a symbol of struggle and indomitability. These are Shevchenko, Stus, Symonenko, Taniuk, Zaretsky, the Mother stained glass window, the Boriviter mosaic, Mariupol, Mariupol as Boriviter, ‘where the endless steppes meet the waves of the sea’, fragments of stained glass, mosaics, struggle, and the fiery spirit of indomitability.

This is not the first time that the performance by the Sharzh Theater and the Alla Horska and Victor Zaretsky Foundation has been presented in the university library, and according to director Yulia Kratko, it is the best location for it. Just like Shevchenko University itself, where back in the 1950s students started the tradition of honouring Kobzar on 22 May, which was later picked up by the Sixties.

The day of Shevchenko’s reburial, 22 May, became a time for the Ukrainian people’s resistance in the struggle for independence.

• On 22 May 1963, at 8 p.m., a cohort of artists led by Horska brought flowers to the monument to Shevchenko. This kind of commemoration of the Great Taras was a kind of Ukrainian manifestation.
• On 22 May 1967, four people were arrested near the monument to Shevchenko in Kyiv for simply laying flowers.
• On 22 May 1971, writer Anatoliy Lupynos was arrested and sentenced to 12 years in prison for reading his poem ‘Cover’ near the Taras monument in Kyiv.
• On 22 May 1979, the funeral of Volodymyr Ivasyuk turned into a demonstration in Lviv.
• 22 May 1990, Shevchenko Square in Kyiv. From the memoirs: “all the surrounding neighbourhoods are darkened, as during the war… Only around the monument to Shevchenko candles are burning. Lots of candles. The institute was unlit, classes were cancelled. I go to the monument. People are like ants. Declaring, singing… And around in the bushes there are police with batons, black funnels…”