Tamara Yatsenko Opens Up About Personal Struggles
Tamara Yatsenko, a People’s Artist of Ukraine, has shared intimate details about her personal life, including the revelation that her husband, writer Oleh Kovalenko, had an affair with another woman while living in Moscow for seven years. Despite this, Yatsenko chose to keep the family together. In her interview, the actress also discussed the sexual harassment she faced early in her career, particularly from a theater director and a chief director.
Kovalenko resided and worked in the Russian capital for seven years. During his absence, Yatsenko noted that many people, including relatives and friends, warned her that he might find someone else.
“My Oleh went to Moscow and was gone for seven years. Relatives and friends kept asking me: ‘Aren’t you worried he’ll find a Moscow woman there?’ He did find one. She still calls,”she recounted.
Sexual Harassment and Career Challenges
Yatsenko also disclosed instances of sexual harassment she endured at the start of her professional journey. She recalled an incident where the theater director, intoxicated, attempted to make advances toward her.
“When I arrived in Frankivsk, the theater director came to my hotel. He was drunk, ready to get close to an actress. The chief director did the same. An old geezer, as they say,”Yatsenko stated. She added that initially she was recognized as a talented actress, but after rejecting these advances, she was dismissed as untalented.
Concluding her remarks, Yatsenko emphasized that love involves forgiveness: “If you love, you forgive.” Despite the hardships she has faced, the actress continues to pursue her artistic work.
In early June, the Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theater held a preview of the play 'King Lear! Version,' directed by Anatoliy Khostikoyev. The production blends William Shakespeare’s classic plot with the story of the village of Stebli, which found itself in the exclusion zone after the Chornobyl nuclear disaster. The cast includes actors from the Franko Theater, such as Natalia Sumska and Viacheslav Khostikoyev.
Yatsenko’s openness about her personal and professional challenges underscores the importance of addressing sexual harassment in the arts and society at large. Her story may give a voice to many women who have faced similar situations and encourage open dialogue on these issues. Additionally, the news about 'King Lear! Version' highlights the vibrancy of Ukraine’s theater scene and artists’ efforts to merge classic works with contemporary realities, potentially attracting new audiences to theatrical arts.
As Yatsenko navigates her personal challenges, the theater world continues to evolve, with other artists also making significant comebacks. For instance, Victoria Bilan-Rashchuk recently returned to the stage with a new play, highlighting the resilience of performers in the face of adversity. This parallel showcases how the artistic community supports one another through their struggles.