Ihnat Bujnicki
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ihnat Bujnicki | |
|---|---|
Ігнат Буйніцкі | |
 | |
| Born | August 22, 1861 the estate of Palivačy, Russian Empire |
| Died | September 22, 1917 (aged 56) |
| Occupation(s) | actor and theatre director |
| Known for | described as “the father of the Belarusian theatre” |
Ihnat Bujnicki (also known as Ignat Buynitsky, Belarusian: Ігнат Буйніцкі; 22 August 1861 – 22 September 1917) was an actor and theatre director, described as “the father of the Belarusian theatre”. He was also actively involved in various charitable and microfinance initiatives.[1][2][3]
Bujnicki was born into the family of minor nobility on the estate of Palivačy (today in Hlybokaje district of Viciebsk region in Belarus). Upon graduation from the Riga Polytechnic School, he became a land surveyor.[1][2][3]
While working as a surveyor in Viciebsk, Minsk and Mahilioŭ provinces of the Russian empire he acquired interest in and started recording Belarusian songs, folk legends and stories. But of particular interest for Bujnicki were Belarusian folk dances. To develop his interest further, he enrolled in a drama school in Vilna.[1][2][3]
First Belarusian theatre troupe
In 1907, Bujnicki founded a theatre troupe, which held performances in various Belarusian cities as well as Warsaw and St. Petersburg. Performances for wealthier spectators were set at a high price of two rubles, while those for farmers were free.[1]
The troupe's performances rode the wave of the Belarusian national revival of the early 20s century. As the newspaper Naša Niva wrote in the summer of 1910:
“Dzisna does not remember such a gathering of people. Local intelligentsia and common people alike sincerely greeted the [troupe], the mighty idea of national revival warmed everyone with its hot rays, united everyone, stirred their frozen hearts, sparkled their eyes dulled from heat, and the first native word from the stage was welcomed by more than one tear."
“There was no end to the cheers [during the performance in Polacak]: the whole hall was buzzing like a beehive with swarming bees… The Belarusian theatre is becoming grounded on solid foundations, thanks to the actions and zeal of Uncle Ihnat Bujnicki and new and new forces are emerging. I sincerely thank him for these efforts and diligence, and one day, when the national consciousness of all the Belarusian people awakens, the memory of Ihnat Bujnicki will be sacred to all."[1]
In Minsk the artists were covered with roses and after Bujnicki's performances in St. Petersburg and Warsaw, newspapers wrote about the "colossal success" of the troupe, which "awakens in Belarusians a sense of national dignity."[2]
Bujnicki was a versatile actor himself - he appeared on stage in plays, recited poems, danced, sang solo and in the choir (as a light bass baritone).[2]
