Ukraine experience difficult, but fulfilling: dancer provides update

Background story

Former member of Pavlychenko Folklorique Ensemble Lana Kubin (second from right) pursues her love of dance in Kyiv.

(So you want an update do you?!?!)

Well, I am fabulous! This year has been one of the most difficult, most interesting, and most fulfilling of my life. The things I have learned and experienced are not limited to the Virsky studio, but go far beyond; so for that reason, among many others, this has been time well worth my while.

I arrived in Kyiv the middle of September 2003, wide-eyed and nervous. Only two days later I had a meeting with Myroslav Vantukh, the Virsky Ensemble Director, who was very frank. He told me what I could expect: I was to begin classes right away with those in the Virsky Studio and, once I became comfortable with my surroundings, I could start Ensemble classes. He made no promises, stating simply that the rest would be up to me. And I have made it this far.

The life of a dancer: long, long days, not without sore muscles, stinky feet and a camaraderie that is found only between those that need to spend so much time together. In my attempts to adapt to the ever-so-different technique and style of Ukrainian dance on this side of the world, I have found a group of wonderful and incredibly talented people. Always around to let me know when I’m doing something wrong (!), I have learned to take pleasure in accomplishments I used to consider trivial, and revel when I hear the words, “Molodets Lana!” (Well done!).

Rehearsals with Ensemble are, for lack of a better word, stressful. One learns early on that you’d better know what you’re doing because there is a line-up of people to take your place if you don’t. However, that’s also one of the reasons that Virsky is considered one of the best. I have continued with my studio classes, of which I am very thankful. They have become my opportunity to learn dance ensemble repertoire and I find, even these days, there are always new things to learn, no matter how small!

Language has been a learning experience as well, as no one speaks Ukrainian -- it is all Russian. Back in late October, I went to the bazaar to do all of my foodstuff shopping. It was my first time that I had done so at the bazaar all by myself. Very exciting! I couldn’t seem to express just what a momentous occasion this was to dorm mates as they all speak Russian and this is an everyday occasion for them. They just smiled as though I were absolutely crazy to be so excited about a dirty, loud, overcrowded place to buy food. It seems everyday I find something to be grateful for. It sounds corny, but we really do not understand how spoiled we are in Canada. And yet, I absolutely enjoy all the things that one must do to endure life in Ukraine.

My life apart from dancing is almost non-existent, as my days are spent at the studio almost from sun-up to sun-down, six days a week. It leaves little time to “get in trouble”! That said, however, I live with some great dancers at the dorm who have taken me in and have shown me the ropes of a life lived in Ukraine. I have come to realize all that that entails is incredibly different. There is a spirit here that is unexplainable but there are hardships as well. Taken hand-in-hand, I take nothing for granted anymore and have learned to appreciate my time here all the more.