A Theatrical Festival was held at SPbCU
The first day consisted of a concert which included performances by a children's chamber orchestra "Rostropovich", the dance group « JCGP », a literary performance Olga Hodakova and a creative play, directed by alumnus of SPbCU Svetlana Kirichenko. The rich program has attracted a numerous number of guests and friends of the university.
The second day was entirely devoted to the Lvov theater "Emmanuel", a talented group that visited our city upon the invitation of SPbCU.
The director of the theatre, Zhanna Goray, met with the students and staff SPbCU on the weekly Friday meetings. Her presentation was lively and effective, as all her work, and her whole life in the recent years. For a start, to get to know Zhanna Goray and her creation, they were shown a film from the series "Living History", in which, viewed from the side, activities of the theater "Emanuel" and its manager was covered.
The history of the theater, as well as many wonderful stories of various Christian ministries, is based on the ardent faith and dedication to its Creator.
Without professional training or financial support , Zhanna Goray has created a ministry from scratch. The theater "Emmanuel" currently has more than two hundred actors and public recognition. It is particularly active as a theater group on "tours" in Ukrainian prisons.
A "Prison Theatre" is the informal name of the theater under the direction of Zhanna Goray. In St. Petersburg, the theater just did not confine itself to the University audience, but also shared the living Gospel to convicted people. Significantly, it was the St. Petersburg prison that became their 90th prison visit. Zhanna Goray shared how at the they would stand for several hours at the gates of prisons, to be given permission for the play. Nobody understood why they needed it neither the
authorities nor prisoners. The standard greeting, which initially meets artists, was being laughed at. However, the troupe members learned to overcome the rejection of a person over time. At present in Ukraine at the state level, it is acknowledged that religion is the only factor, which might re-socialize the prisoners, so the Gospel stories that the theater produces a positive effect on the issue of social adaptation of convicts.
To this day, the theater has more than 20 scenarios involving numerous performances. Each scenario is unique, as is most often a story of the lives of people meeting God. Many stories are about the changing of fate of the people based on real events. The writer of most of the productions is Zhanna herself, although, many viewers afterwards express to her the lack of confidence, or ones surprise, but every time it shows thereby how their hearts and minds were touched. Most of all, doubting about its authorship moves Zhanna out once again to testify about God's strength to help her write the correct play. As an advice to anyone who wants to "succeed" in the service of Zhanna, she revealed her main secret: "To hope in their service only on the Lord and have a complete dedication."
On the evening of the 9th of April, SPbCU hosted a presentation of a play on "One of the Last Days".
This is an eloquent story of a street drunkard named Claudia, and many other people who are encountering the temptations to fall into sin, but once they get the opportunity to take a true gift from the hands of Christ, He will change all their minds and lives. To describe the story more, it would make no sense. The play is a rare combination of phantasmagoria and reality at the same time. And, as they say, it is better to see once than to read about it seven times. As a small part of what the audience felt, SPbCU can offer photos on the play and note that the tradition of theater festivals can be continued next year. Since this work is one of the main instruments of influence on the human soul and the Christian art should succeed in this.
Photos from "Rostropovich" Orchestra performance
SPbCU Student Choir Performance directed by alumnus of SPbCU Sveltana Kirichenko
Literary Performance of Olga Hodakova Dance Group J.C.G.P
Photos from the play "One of the last days"
