The Showman and the Ukrainian Cause

The Showman and Ukrainian Cause: Folk Dance, Film, and Life of Vasile Avramenko, by Orest T. Martynowych. Winnipeg, University of Manitoba Press, 2014. xi, 219 pp. $27.95 Cdn (paper). The book under review is a well-written, carefully researched, and sensibly critical biography of an outstanding showman, dance master, filmmaker, cultural activist, and extraordinary individual, Vasile Avramenko (1895-1981), who made a name for himself in Ukrainian communities of Canada and United States during interwar and post-WWII period. While praised for his creative accomplishments, such as institutionalization and promotion of Ukrainian folk dancing, and production of two Ukrainian feature films, Avramenko also suffered from many flaws, including narcissism, disregard of commitment, and financial manipulations, which turned him into a fugitive in 1940s. Orest T. Martynowych is careful in building a comprehensive portrayal of Avramenko, and through it, he shows Avramenko's extraordinary devotion to Ukrainian cause, despite his means. Avramenko's determination to draw attention of world to the Ukrainian people and their struggle for independence by showcasing their folk (150-1) did much for preservation of Ukrainian culture among emigres and laid groundwork for establishment of powerful and organized Ukrainian diasporas, especially in Canada. Therefore, this well-thought-out portrayal of Avramenko is very timely. Martynowych's book is of a rare quality, which turns this researched biography into creative non-fiction while preserving its academic qualities. Its engaging narrative flow focuses on Avramenko but also presents turbulent history of twentieth century that shaped him. That epoch saw devastating World Wars; concept and realization of Ukrainian statehood; growth of Ukrainian diaspora and its prominent members; as well as Hollywood's Golden Age, which featured pioneering of B and ethnic movies, and appearance of a group of actors of Ukrainian descent, whom Avramenko tried to recruit for his cinematic projects. The way it is written, The Showman and Ukrainian Cause is as much a tribute to that age as it is to Avramenko. Thanks to Martynowych's careful study of Avramenko's extensive archives, book also features a number of key photographs that provide a visual accompaniment to his portrayal of this enigmatic and Gatsbyesque Ukrainian and those who surrounded him. It was during 1917-1921 civil war that unfolded on territory of present-day Ukraine that Avramenko found his calling and first used his creative talents as a propaganda tool under patronage of Symon Petliura, head of short-lived Directory of Ukrainian National Republic in 1919-23

Art · Art history · Biography · Dance · Film director · Folk dance · Literature · Movie theater · Sociology · Ukrainian · Diversity and Impact of Dance · History · Philosophy · Physical education and sports games research · Sports, Gender, and Society