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This performance is especially meaningful, as Valentyna shares the stage with her daughter in a rare mother–daughter collaboration. Together, they perform a dance they created collaboratively, reflecting an intimate artistic dialogue between generations. The program also features the Leleka dancers performing an excerpt from the folk ballet Forest Song, choreographed by Valentyna, as well as a contemporary work choreographed by her daughter Marichka , created as part of her Artist-in-Residence project at the Remai Modern gallery and performed by Marichka  and Peter.

This project is an exploration of connection, heritage, and the evolving artistic voice passed from mother to daughter through dance.

This piece was choreographed during Marichka’s time spent during her “Artist in Residency” program with Remai Modern and Dance Saskatchewan. This opportunity allowed her to focus on her choreography to develop her artistry.

She honours her foundation in traditional Ukrainian folk dance, but creatively pushes her dances into a more modern style.

This dance looks at a storyline of a new relationship and developing trust. Its focus is on young love and the emotions that come with it.

  • Valentyna Matyushenko

    Valentyna Matyushenko is a Ukrainian dance artist, choreographer, and educator whose career includes performance, creation, and teaching in both Ukraine and Canada. She is the Artistic Director of the Leleka Ukrainian Dance Ensemble in Saskatoon and has dedicated her life to sharing and preserving Ukrainian culture and traditions through dance.

    Her professional background includes performing with dance ensembles in Kyiv, as well as teaching and choreographing for Ukrainian dance schools in Ukraine and across Saskatchewan.

    Some of her most significant choreographic projects include the folk ballet Forest Song by Lesia Ukrainka, research-based works such as Easter in Pysanka, and participation in an Artist-in-Residence project at the Remai Modern gallery in collaboration with Dance Saskatchewan. Valentyna studied Ukrainian dance from childhood and later pursued formal training in choreography at Kyiv University of Arts and Culture in Ukraine. She has continued to deepen her artistic practice through lifelong mentorship in choreography and pedagogy, including study with leading Ukrainian choreographers like  Valeriy Debelyi and Leonid Sydorchuk .

  • Marichka Matyushenko

    Marichka Matyushenko is a Ukrainian folk dance artist based in Saskatoon, SK. Originally from Kyiv, Ukraine, she grew up dancing competitively with Leleka Ukrainian Dance Ensemble. She now teaches with Leleka and has spent two years dancing with the Yevshan Folk Ballet Ensemble. Ukrainian dance lets her honour her Ukrainian heritage as well as connect with the broader Ukrainian community. Some of her performance highlights include her international performances in Ukraine, Chile, and Morocco. Marichka strives to continuously learn more about authentic Ukrainian folk dance but also loves to create more contemporary and lyrical influenced pieces.