Academic Dance Ensemble ‘Nadzbruchanka’ as a Representative of the Ethnochoreological Heritage of Western Podillia

Abstract

The purpose of the work is a comprehensive ethnochoreological and art historical understanding of the creative activity of the Academic Dance Ensemble ‘Nadzbruchanka’ as a leading representative of the ethnochoreological heritage of Western Podillia, as well as determining the main directions of preservation, stage transformation and popularisation of regional dance folklore in the professional performing space. The study involves an analysis of the creative principles of the collective, the features of repertoire formation, the interaction of authentic folklore sources with professional stage means and its role in the representation of local dance tradition. Research methodology. The methodological basis is historical-cultural, art-historical, structural-typological and comparative methods, as well as the analysis of archival materials, periodicals and oral sources, in particular the memories of informants and members of the ensemble. A comprehensive approach allowed us to trace the evolution of the creative principles of the collective, outline the stages of the formation of its artistic concept and determine the role of leading ballet masters in the development of the repertoire and stage practice. The scientific novelty lies in the systematisation of little-known archival and source materials on the activities of the ensemble, the introduction of eyewitness testimonies into scientific circulation, as well as in a comprehensive ethnochoreological analysis of the repertoire from the perspective of the regional dance tradition of Western Podillia. For the first time, a holistic study of the ensemble as a centre for the preservation, stage transformation, and popularization of local choreographic heritage has been carried out. Conclusions. It is proven that the ensemble ‘Nadzbruchanka’ plays a key role in the preservation and popularization of the folk choreographic culture of Western Podillia. Its activities are based on an organic combination of authentic folklore primary sources with professional stage means, which ensures the continuity of traditions and their actualisation in the modern cultural space. The results of the study can be used in the scientific and methodological training of choreographers, the development of educational programmes and stage projects, as well as in further scientific research on ethnochoreology and choreographic pedagogy.