Friends!

Friends! On this day in 1941 was born the famous Ukrainian actor Ivan Mykolaichuk. He played 34 prominent roles, made 9 scenarios, two director's work. He was called a symbol of Ukrainian cinema, soul of Ukrainian movie, he wholeheartedly loved his job. Sergei Paradjanov said about Mykolaichuk: "I do not know a man, who can be more national and folk genius ... Before him it was Dovzhenko." This person of enormous proportions could now celebrate its 76th anniversary. But unfortunately, the genius of Ukrainian cinema is no longer among us.

Ivan Mykolaichuk was born in the village Chortoryia on the 15th of June, 1941. His parents were ordinary peasants, had 13 children. The guy has had the desire for art since childhood – at the age of 12 he played in amateur theater. Then - entered music school in Chernivtsi, graduated from the studio theater/ There he met with his future wife Mary Karp'yuk. The history of their acquaintance was very funny - girl played Frog and guy - croak for it behind the scenes. But a funny story turned into a huge love.

In 1963 Mikolaichuk moved to Kyiv - became a student of the Kiev Institute of Theater Art named after Karpenko-Kary. The first film debut came just at the student times when the boy was asked to play in course work "Two" by Leonid Osyka.

While studying in the second year, Mikolaichuk immediately began acting in two films that made him famous. The first film was "Dream", where the actor played the role of Taras Shevchenko. He did not only popularize the image of the poet, he submitted it, passed through himself, managed to convey great love of poet to Ukraine. The second role was Ivan Paliychuk in the "Shadows of forgotten ancestors." This film is still calling card of Ukrainian cinema to the world. At the time, he received 39 international awards, 28 awards at film festivals and entered the Guinness Book of Records. What did Mikolaichuk on the screen - was incredible. His image has inspired Ukrainian artists, writers, actors and musicians to return to their own roots. It was extremely important, because of the times when they had to live. One proof of the reality of this effect was incident at film premiere in Kiev, when a group of intellectuals, among which was Vasyl Stus, rose from their seats in protest against the oppression of pro-Ukrainian minded intellectuals.

Ivan Mikolaichuk gave us many wonderful roles. I think each of you has your favorite picture and it makes no sense to list all.

In 1970 for the whole of the creative elite and for Ivan Mykolaichuk particularly started hard times. Parajanov was arrested, Mikolaichuk was guilted in "nationalism". The incident ended by denunciation in Kyiv, where the famous actor was categorized as " man of hostile ideology." After the film "White Bird with Black Mark" he started to be questioned regularly.

Gradually actor was replaced on the screen. Over 5 years, on the instructions of the government, his name was scratched from most of the crews, although the filmmakers wanted to see the actor in their films.

Only in 1979, thanks to the protection secretary for ideological work of the Kharkiv Regional Committee of the Communist Party Vladimir Ivashko Ivan was managed to get permission to shoot the legendary film "Babylon XX". Of course, the film was subjected to strict censorship. His wife later told that the removal from profession and censorship of "Babylon" led to serious feelings, which then led to cancer.

Mikolaichuk starred in several films, prepared the script for the film "Stories about John," but waited permission to shoot. In 1986, when the film finally could be shoot, the actor could not do it. Ivan Mikolaichuk died on the 3d of August, 1987 in Kyiv.

Friends! Ivan Mikolaichuk was not just an actor. His talent showed Ukrainian who they are. Not the image that was popular in Soviet times - Ukrainian, who thinks mundane categories and is concerned only about their own welfare and satiety. He broke this stereotype and showed all Ukrainian soul real life - full of depth, ready to exploit for its nation. Eternal gratitude and remembrance.