Lehenda Ukrainian Dance Company: Celebrating a Decade of Dance and Culture

As Lehenda Ukrainian Dance Company celebrates its 10th anniversary, we reflect on a vibrant journey that began with a single vision and has blossomed into the cherished cultural institution we know and love today. Opening its doors on February 12, 2014, Lehenda set out to celebrate and share Ukrainian culture through the art of dance, and this small ripple has spread in the decade that has passed, creating an extraordinary impact on Ukrainian culture, our community here in Australia, our Lehenda family and you the audience. 

Lehenda has grown from a small ensemble to a renowned dance company, recognized both nationally and internationally. This achievement has only been achieved through hard work and commitment, underscored constantly by your (our patrons, sponsors, partners and donors) unwavering support. The company's repertoire spans a wide range of traditional Ukrainian dances, each characterized by intricate footwork, dynamic energy, and elaborate costumes that reflect the diverse regions of Ukraine. Our inaugural performance at Hopak in the Park in 2014 was a memorable debut, setting the stage for our future successes. That same year, Kazka premiered; a production that quickly became a cornerstone of our repertoire. Kazka captivated audiences across Australia, the USA, and Canada, with performances in cities such as

Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane, Geelong, Toronto, Chicago, Wilmington, and New York, showcasing the company internationally for the first time!

In 2017, Lehenda unveiled Kyiv and Legend - Stories of a Nation, adding new depth to our artistic narrative. The 2018 tour of Legend - Stories of a Nation took the company across Australia, including Melbourne, Alice Springs, Brisbane, Sydney, and Geelong, further establishing our presence in the Australian arts landscape. Throughout our history, Lehenda has performed at prestigious events and festivals across Australia and beyond. Each performance is a testament to the company's dedication to artistic excellence and its ability to captivate audiences with the rich and enchanting world of Ukrainian dance.

Lehenda's commitment to cultural education and community engagement has been a fundamental part of our mission. The company has conducted numerous workshops, masterclasses, and educational programs, sharing the beauty and significance of Ukrainian dance with people of all ages and backgrounds. Through these efforts, Lehenda has fostered a deep appreciation for Ukrainian culture within the broader Australian community. This can be seen most clearly since 2018, where Lehenda has been a vibrant part of the Moomba Parade, often featured in the media, as well as Pako Festa which has given us a platform to publicly celebrate and promote Ukrainian culture, solidifying our position and voice as a community within an Australian multicultural sphere.

Since our inception we have also been involved in a number of performance art installations with artist Eva Heiky Olga Abbinga most noted ‘The Well’ and  ‘The arrival of the Rajar’.

In 2019, the company embarked on the Razom Australia tour with Cheremosh Ukrainian Dance Company of Edmonton, reaching out across the world and forming bonds and creative partnerships. Together we stepped onto stages in Perth, Adelaide, Sydney, and Melbourne, illustrating how in the spirit of Ukrainian ambassadorship, we forged ahead united!

The pandemic in 2020-2021 posed challenges, but Lehenda adapted by moving rehearsals online, demonstrating resilience and dedication. During this period we also began filming the first chapter of our film series, Pryvit. Necessity for us was indeed the mother of change and invention. 

2022 and 2023 saw the introduction of Ukrainian Soul Australian Soil, with performances in Melbourne and Bendigo. 2023 was highlighted by the premiere of the film Pryvit, marking a significant milestone in Lehenda’s artistic journey. The revival of Kazka in 2024 promised to bring its enchanting storytelling back to the stage, continuing its legacy of innovation, and it delivered!

Every tree has its roots, in parallel with the company’s success, The Lehenda School, which opened alongside the company in 2014, has grown into a crucial educational pillar, nourishing the company from the ground up! The school’s first National Winter School in 2014 marked the beginning of its educational mission. By 2016, classical ballet and acrobatics classes were introduced, and in 2018, the school’s concert The Dolls traveled to Sydney.

From 2016 educators from Lehenda have been delivering incursions to both primary and high schools across Victoria, fostering a knowledge of Ukrainian Culture, geography and dance to the broader community.

The school continued to expand its offerings with the introduction of the Ballet Conservatoire syllabus in 2019, allowing students to take ballet exams. The Winter School program resumed in 2019 and remains a staple of the school’s calendar. During the 2020-2021 lockdowns, the school swiftly transitioned to online classes, ensuring continuity of education.

In 2021 the School introduced the opportunity to teach Ukrainian dance and classical ballet solos to students and prepare them for competitions. Both individual students and also class groups have competed in competitions not only in Australia but also online in Canada and Ukraine.

After the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in 2022, The Lehenda School welcomed newly arrived children and two teaching staff from Ukraine, further enriching its community. The school has consistently performed at various community events, festivals, and concerts, including our annual theater concert at St Bernards Theatre. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, our 2020 concert was successfully held online.

2023 brought a partnership between The Lehenda School and Mordialloc Light Opera Company for 10 performances of Fiddler on the Roof at The Alex Theatre St Kilda, where our Youth Company students were featured as dancers.

Over the past decade, Lehenda Ukrainian Dance Company has performed 168 times, with 27 of those being original stage productions. The Lehenda School has presented 75 performances, including 10 of their own stage productions. Both entities have had the honour of collaborating with numerous talented individuals, whose contributions are proudly acknowledged in the credits of this program.

As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we look back with pride on a decade of achievements and look forward to continuing our mission of cultural preservation and artistic innovation. With a strong foundation built on passion, talent, and community support, Lehenda is poised to inspire future generations and keep the spirit of Ukrainian dance alive for many years to come.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who have supported and contributed to our journey. Here’s to the next decade of celebrating and proudly sharing Ukrainian culture through dance!