International Ukrainian cultural centre

National Academic Song and Dance Ensemble "Hutsulia" (Ivano-Frankivsk)

Concert date: 20.11.2025Concert time: 19:00Concert place: Cultural Center "Painotalo"City: ÄänekoskiAdditional information:The eastern picturesque Carpathians of western Ukraine are inhabited by the Ukrainian highlanders – the Hutsuls, the people who have their own centuries-old, distinctive, bright and very rich culture. The musical culture of the Hutsuls has always been distinguished only by the melodies peculiar to them in terms of character and musical style, which have always mesmerized the listener from the first chords, just like the choreography of Hutsul dances, which enchants its audience from the very first movements. And the Hutsul region itself, a region, located in western Ukraine, in the Carpathians where the Hutsuls live, is a unique and inexhaustible source for research and study of ancient traditions, customs, costumes and art. Therefore, the preservation of the Hutsul music and song and dance heritage of the Carpathian region of Ukraine became the main goal of the foundation of the ensemble, which was named "Hutsulia" and was created in 1939 in the city of Stanislav (now Ivano-Frankivsk).

Today, National Academic Song and Dance Ensemble "Hutsulia" is not only one of the most famous and oldest professional artistic song and dance ensembles in Ukraine, but also the only ensemble in the country that has held more than 12000 concerts over the years of its creative activity. Touring the world with great success, it was applauded by the audience of Finland, Canada, Greece, Italy, Poland, Austria, Germany, France and many other countries.

The repertoire of the ensemble mostly contains songs and dances of the Hutsul region and consists of vocal and choreographic compositions performed by the choir and ballet dancers of the ensemble. The choir of the ensemble is a fantastic variety of unique voices brought together, where each performer impresses with high artistic skill perfect performance and can perform solos. Its special, original way of performing songs, crystallized during the entire existence of the ensemble, makes the "Hutsulia" choir unique and inimitable.

Each dance in the repertoire of the ensemble is a large number of fantastic tricks performed by men and refined movements of women and a variety of luxurious costumes of performers. Just mention the Hutsul dance "Arkan" and the unique Christmas rite "Ples", included in the intangible cultural heritage of UNESCO.

Actors' costumes are not just stage clothes, but real works of folk art, which impress the viewer's imagination with their brightness, exquisite hand embroidery, carving and hammering.

It’s safe to say that the performance style of the "Hutsulia" ensemble contains the entire palette of the Hutsul song and choreographic heritage.

Сoncert consists of 2 parts. Duration of each part is about 40 minutes.

Performers:National Academic Song and Dance Ensemble "Hutsulia" (Ivano-Frankivsk)