New Leadership Appointed for Renowned Folk Ensemble
Ukraine's Ministry of Culture has named Vadym Yatsenko as the new director of the Hryhorii Veryovka National Academic Ukrainian Folk Choir, a prestigious ensemble. This appointment was confirmed by the previous director, Ihor Kuryliv, and choir members. The decision was formalized on June 29, when Minister of Culture Tetiana Berezhna officially introduced Yatsenko to the collective.
Yatsenko previously served as the chief choirmaster at the Lviv Opera and was the artistic director of the Lviv Municipal Choir 'Homin.' His departure from the Lviv Opera occurred at the end of last week. In response, Ihor Kuryliv, who had been the acting general director and artistic director of the choir for the past five years, noted that Yatsenko
“explained everything very thoughtfully and deliberately—that he intends to work and develop the choir.”
A New Chapter for the Choir
Kuryliv, who served as the choir's executive director until 2021 and previously worked as the director of concert programs for singer Sofia Rotaru, revealed that the Ministry never signed a full contract with him during his tenure as acting director. In an interview with 'Glavkom,' he raised concerns about the choir's challenges, including mandatory unpaid leave and a low percentage of male artists receiving military draft deferments. Sources suggest that the public airing of these issues may have triggered the leadership change.
Vadym Yatsenko holds the title of 'Honored Artist of Ukraine,' awarded by the president last year. The search for a new choir leader began even before Tetiana Berezhna became minister. A former ministry official mentioned a 'shift toward rejuvenating' the leadership of creative ensembles. Yatsenko, for his part, stated that he
“has no time for talk,”signaling his readiness to get to work.
This appointment marks a fresh start for the Veryovka National Choir, with Yatsenko's leadership promising continued growth. The decision could reshape the ensemble's future, especially given past institutional struggles and the broader push for younger leadership in Ukraine's cultural sector.
As the Veryovka National Choir embarks on this new chapter under Vadym Yatsenko's leadership, it is essential to understand the broader context of recent changes within Ukraine's cultural institutions. The Ministry of Culture is actively pursuing leadership transitions in various artistic organizations, aiming to refresh and enhance their direction. To learn more about the Ministry's strategic decisions regarding the leadership of respected ensembles, visit the ongoing changes in choir management.