Rusalka

Rusalka’s rich choreographic repertoire features dances from Ukraine's diverse regions, styles and moods to captivate any audience. World-renowned choreographers such as Anna and Vasyl Kanevets, from Kyiv, Roma Pryma-Bochachevsky and Roman Strockij of New York, Markian Komichak of Pittsburgh, Valery Debelly from Kyiv, as well as Olha Dvorovenko and Petro Nebrosky from the Veryovka Dance Ensemble, have all left their mark on Rusalka and its extensive collection of dances. From its Winnipeg roots, Rusalka has expanded its horizon to reach out to an ever-widening audience. Major tours throughout Asia, Europe, North America, and Ukraine, and performances for heads of state and royalty, have placed Rusalka among the most widely recognized Ukrainian dance groups in the world. Internationally, Rusalka has performed to rave reviews at the Festival Mundial del Folklore de Trujillo, winning best performance in both 2007 and in 2016. Other recent tours include New York (2014), Ukraine (2013), Scotland (2006). Past tours include: Ukraine (1979, 1992, 1997 and 2001) Australia (1990, 1995) Florida (1994), Italy (1982), England and Scotland (1973 and 1979), Mexico (1972). In 1979, Rusalka became the first Ukrainian Canadian dance ensemble to visit Ukraine and study under Veryovka Ukrainian Dance Ensemble of Kyiv. In 1982, its 20th anniversary year, Rusalka gave a command performance and was granted a private audience with His Holiness Pope John Paul II at his summer residence outside of Rome. In August 2006, Rusalka returned to warm crowds in Scotland to perform at the Aberdeen International Youth Festival. This festival included 10 days of stunning entertainment, music, theatre and dance celebrating the best youth talent from all over the world. As one of the main headliners, Rusalka was featured on banners, newspapers, and postcards all over Scotland. Rusalka had the opportunity to perform The Legend of the Rusalka for the first time overseas for an enamoured international audience. In 2007, amidst a devastating earthquake in Peru, dancers once again enchanted audiences at the XIV International Festival of Folk Dance in Trujillo, Peru. The Ensemble was awarded "Best Performance" and donated the proceeds of the prize to local earthquake relief. At home in Winnipeg, Rusalka celebrated their 50th Anniversary on the Centennial Concert Hall Stage with alumni, guest artists (Hoosli Ukrainian Male Chorus, O. Koshetz Choir), in a memorable evening of celebration! The spirit that was the inspiration for its founding is still alive today, helping to ensure that Rusalka remains an integral part of the arts community, in our city, our province, and on the world stage! They will be performing their new production of "Voda", the symbolic importance of Water for the BWV Toronto Ukrainian Festival 2025.