SUMMARY:
The song Shchedryk is one of the greatest points of intersection between Ukrainian Culture and English-speaking culture. The English Christmas Carol, “Carol of the Bells,” historically derived its melody from the traditional melody of Shchedryk. The traditional Ukrainian context for the song was during New Year, traditionally associated with the Spring Equinox. The text of the song describes a swallow greeting the master of the house, encouraging renewal, prosperity and all of the blessings of a fresh start going into the New Year. As time has passed, the song has found more of home among the winter holidays including Christmas and the civil New Year. All of that being said, the choreography was inspired by the mood of the traditional text as a demi-classical pas de deux between the male dancer in the role of the master of the house and the female dancer in the role of the mysterious yet beneficent swallow.