“They toiled with bended backs, not only for themselves, but for their descendants. Us, among them. We are the benefactors of their dedication and we humbly continue to carry the torch of our culture, our nation, and our homeland in their name.”
EDMONTON – Ukrainian Shumka Dancers are thrilled to publicly release Promised Land, a short-film featuring choreographed works from Shumka's Ancestors & Elders.
Over the last three years, the arts community has explored new ways to share its stories and its works despite the restrictions of the pandemic. Digital forms of dance have become increasingly common and Shumka has created three short film projects since 2020. Through a series of vignettes and dances filmed at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, Promised Land celebrates the Ukrainian immigrant journey in Alberta, specifically marking the 130th Anniversary of Ukrainian Immigration to Canada (2021).
Originally part of the Shumka on Tour production in 2022, Promised Land is an homage to the Ukrainian ancestors who persevered with faith and determination for a better life in a new place.
Promised Land was honoured with the following awards in 2022: William & Mary Kostash Award for Media Arts from the Ukrainian Resource & Development Centre of MacEwan University, FAVA Fest Award for Outstanding Inter-Art or Installation, FAVA Fest Award for Outstanding Production Design, and Official Selections of DANCINEMA and Rethink Dance Film Festival. Shumka is thankful for the support of the Temerty Foundation Community Development Fund, the Film and Video Arts Society of Alberta through the FAVA Studio 19 Project, and The Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival.
Promised Land was co-directed by Leslie Sereda and Joanna Manchur; choreographed by Paul Olijnyk and Tasha Orysiuk; script by Anna Marie Sewell, Miles Konrad, Darka Tarnawsky and Leslie Sereda; with voiceover by Annette Bidniak, and music by Carissa Klopoushak and Mike Romaniuk.
For full production credits and more information visit Shumka.com.
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