Legendary “The Zhmenyaks” are back on the Transcarpathian stage (ANNOUNCEMENT)

On Sunday, May 26, at 18.00, the premiere of the play "The Zhmenyaks" based on the novel by Mykhailo Tomchaniy will be held in the Transcarpathian Academic Regional Ukrainian Music and Drama Theater. The stage version was produced by the main director, People’s Artist of Ukraine Anatoliy Filippov.

"The Zhmenyaks" is considered to be the best Transcarpathian novel of the twentieth century. It was translated into Russian, Hungarian, and Latvian. The family saga about the Transcarpathian village, which was published in 1964, immediately attracted the attention of the theater directors.

Three years later, the main director of the Transcarpathian Regional Ukrainian Musical and Drama Theater O. Hryb together with M.Tomchaniy presented the play "The Zhmenyaks". The music was composed by well-known composer S.Marton.

Later, the play "Zhmenyaks" was renewed in Uzhgorod theater twice: in 1970 – by Honored Artist of Ukraine M. Biletsky, and in 1976 – by People’s Artist of the Ukrainian SSR Y. Helyas. 

In 1986, a three-part film "The Power of the Land" was made based on the novel (writer – V. Rusnak, director – Honored Artist of the Ukrainian SSR A. Shestopalov).

Now, in the year of 105th anniversary of Mykhailo Tomchaniy, "The Zhmenyaks" are returning to the theater stage of Transcarpathia for the fourth time, once again showing that human life is short, but art is eternal.

Oleksandr HAVROSH, the dramaturg part of the Transcarpathian Academic Regional Ukrainian Music and Drama Theater