Captain of the Army of the Ukrainian People's Republic Dmytro Kotko: a sketch of life and activities in Poland, 1921-1924 (until the 130th anniversary of his birth)

Abstract

The article attempts to characterize the organizational and conducting activity of centurion Dmytro Kotka in the camps of interned troops of the Ukrainian People's Republic in Poland in the first half of the 1920s, as well as during the tours of the choir created by him in Polish cities. His speeches served as an effective means of combating despair and disappointment, which permeated the environment of the interned Ukrainian military. The same purpose was served by the celebration of national holidays (and Shevchenko days in particular), as well as «concert-parties», which were traditionally attended by D. Kotka's choir – singing the national anthem and artistic performance of folk songs. The choir very soon outgrew the narrow confines of the camps, becoming a real cultural phenomenon in Poznan, and later in other Polish regions. This was of great importance, because thanks to this, a significant number of Poles got the opportunity to discover the Ukrainian world and learn about its musical and choral culture. Performing in Polish cities, the choir successfully performed the role of a representative of the Ukrainian People's Republic and a promoter of Polish-Ukrainian interethnic rapprochement. The creation and further functioning of the choir became possible exclusively thanks to the efforts of its leader and conductor – D. Kotka, who carried his passion for Ukrainian song throughout his entire life. He had an undeniable talent as an organizer and a rare artistic talent, having managed to reveal the natural abilities of choristers to the maximum extent. That is why every performance of the choir under the direction of D. Kotka became a real artistic celebration regardless of who went to his concerts to get to know the real Ukrainian choral art.