Les Kurbas's Collaboration with Soviet Authorities
During a broadcast with political analyst Yuriy Romanenko, historian Serhiy Udovyik presented facts about the early 1920s collaboration between director Les Kurbas and the Soviet authorities. Kurbas, a pioneering Ukrainian theatre director and founder of the Berezil theatre, actively engaged with the new Soviet system, an involvement that profoundly shaped his creative and organizational work. This period was a complex era where avant-garde art and revolutionary politics were deeply intertwined.
After the Young Theatre, where Kurbas worked, was dissolved due to a lack of funding from the Ukrainian People's Republic, Kurbas and his troupe were enlisted into the Red Army's 45th Division in 1920, commanded by Iona Yakir. This period proved crucial for the formation of the Berezil theatrical association, which Kurbas established in 1922. The association's charter explicitly stated it was guided by the principles of Marxism-Leninism and fought for the realization of social revolution and communist culture.
Kurbas's Innovations and Influence
Serhiy Udovyik noted that Kurbas was the first in Ukraine to apply psychological methods for training actors and directors. He also pioneered the use of mass scenes and a poster-like aesthetic to glorify the victory of the proletariat. Furthermore, to amplify subconscious impact, Kurbas specially commissioned a film to be projected on stage. These innovations underscore his drive for theatrical experimentation.
In his work, Kurbas sought to protect his theatre from Ukrainian nationalists by appealing for help to the commander of the 45th Division:
"He asks the commander of the Red Army's 45th Division, Iona Yakir, for protection for his theatre from Ukrainian nationalists." - Serhiy Udovyik
Moreover, Kurbas's troupe traveled with the division through villages, agitating among peasants in support of Soviet power. This activity points to Kurbas's active participation in the processes unfolding in Ukraine at the time and his attempt to integrate theatrical art into the new socio-political realities.
The collaboration of Les Kurbas with Soviet authorities and his innovative approaches to theatre mark an important stage in 1920s Ukrainian culture. His work not only influenced theatrical development but also became part of the broader context of social and political change in Ukraine. Understanding these dynamics provides crucial insight into the intricate relationship between artistic innovation and state ideology during the early Soviet period.