“Successful and talented people create the history of the city,” the mayor of Drohobych said when he described the pleasant event of presenting the Drohobych City Council’s award to Vasyl Kulakivskyi, the chief choreographer of the Verkhovyna ensemble. The award ceremony was held during the weekly Monday meeting to the applause of all those present. Vasyl Kulakivskyi received the honorary award “For Merit to the City of Drohobych” on the occasion of his 75th birthday, as well as for his significant achievements in the development of culture and his great creative contribution to the city of Kotermak.
Vasyl Kulakivskyi was born in Trostianets (Zhytomyr region) in 1949. He graduated from the Zhytomyr Cultural and Educational College. He was qualified as a dance group leader.
Since 1998, he has been working as the chief choreographer of the Honoured Carpathian Song and Dance Ensemble of Ukraine “Verkhovyna”.
In general, Vasyl Makarovych has been with the Verkhovyna Ensemble since 1971, starting his career as a ballet soloist. In 1979, he was awarded the highest category of ballet dancer. Since 1993, he has been working as a teacher-tutor of the ballet group of the ensemble. In 1998, he was promoted to the position of principal choreographer.
The management of the ensemble and colleagues speak of Vasyl Kulakovsky as a specialist with excellent knowledge of choreography. The choreographer has a perfect command of the ensemble’s repertoire, and cares about the stylistic and genre unity of the performances. His credits include the following productions: Kozachok, Kolomyiky with Dance, A Viburnum Is Not a Willow, Hopak, Carpathian Suite, Dance with Lanterns, Old Boys, Galician Polka and many others.
Vasyl Kulakivskyi has been awarded numerous certificates and diplomas for his constant achievement of high results in his work.