Church Christmas carols in Ternopil publications in the late ХХ – early XXI century Cover Image

Церковні коляди на сторінках тернопільських видань кінця ХХ – початку ХХІ століття
Church Christmas carols in Ternopil publications in the late ХХ – early XXI century

Author(s): Khristina Zajchenko
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Customs / Folklore, Music, Recent History (1900 till today), Ukrainian Literature
Published by: Національна академія керівних кадрів культури і мистецтв
Keywords: church carols; publications; popular editions; scientific and popular editions; scientific editions;

Summary/Abstract: The article reviews the editions with the religious carols publications that were published in Ternopil in the late XX – early XXI century. Based on the needs of their application use, grouping of these editions is made. Attention is paid to quantitative and qualitative characteristics of church carols publications and the level preparation before printing. Matters relating to the study of church carols are topical because of little researches. Only recently they have attracted the attention of scholars L. Korniy, O. Hnatiuk, A. Ivanytskyi, L.Yefremova, O. Smolyak. The review of editions with church carols publications, including regional, deserves special attention, because they are fundamental base for historical and theoretical studies. The paper reviews three groups of publications: popular, popular science and scientific. The purpose of the article is to exposure of the most meaningful printing editions the of religious carols publications in Ternopil in the late XX – early XXI century, based on their typological characteristics. Since the early 1990s, the popular collection of church carols publications (in these publications they were usually the part of the Christmas repertoire) have issued in Ternopil. The first was a collection of "Galician carols and songs" (compiled by M. Kryschuk), published in Ternopil in 1990. The collection "Christ is born, that was prepared for publication by historian I. Zelena" was appeared in 1991 in Ternopil. Apart from the stories about Christmas, the collection included folk records of church carols of R. Kramar and A. Savchuk made during the ethnographic expeditions to Western Podillia Region villages. The given collections were formed in such a way that it could be available to the general population, especially the younger generation. In this case, the compliers of these collections had drawn the attention of both the availability of verbal text and melody. In the early 1990s – it was the revival stage of caroling Christian traditions – the collections compilers (they were mostly intellectuals – regional ethnographers) were trying to organize available for children Christmas repertoire and thus provided them with the material for Christmas preparation. The aim was to draw attention of youth to caroling traditions and thus turn them to religious holidays. Since the 1990s, a common form of publications was non-fiction collections, which among other folk genres also included church carols. Actually the first presentation of such publication was a collection of "Folk Songs of the Solomia Krushelnytska village" (Bila village of Ternopil district, Ternopil region)" (compilers: P. Medvedyk, O. Smolyak). Then one by one followed such publications: "A New Joy (Christmas, New Year, Jordan holidays in Ternopil Region)" (compilers: I. Vyspinskyi, O. Pylypenko, B. Synenka and others.), "Rebel carols" (compiled by R. Kramar), "Christmas Eve: winter calendar ceremonial folklore in Ternopil Region "(compiled by P. Shymkiv). Actually religious carols are often published in collections, which represent a group of popular science books. That is why the compilers of these collections usually submit a summary the informants and the place of their existence. Since the late 1990s, the editions with church carol publications, representing a group of scientific collections started to appear. Such publications have the following characteristics: thorough introductory article with the analysis of musical and stylistic features of the songs of this genre, noted materials on modern methods of transcribing songs, detailed certification of presented material, comments and typological tables. Actually, such a group of publications launches the collection "Carols of Western Podillia" (ordering, introductory article and notes are made by G. Oleksyn). It included eighty six religious carols recorded in the Ternopil region (Western Podillia ethnographic region) during their active functioning – on Christmas holidays. It was the first time when such kind of folklore material from this region appeared in printed press. In the editorial, the author for the first time among similar regional publications drew attention to the history of formation of religious carols genre, ways of carols occurrence in the folk environment and music and style features peculiar to these carols. The collection presents the structural and typological tables of songs and their certification. Notations of song material are made with the help of modern methods of ethnic musicology. Two manuals, written by O. Smolyak "Ukrainian children's folk music" and "Folk music of Ternopil" and textbook " Swallow flew " by Z. Yaropuda represent a group of scientific publications, where religious carols are published. In particular, the "Ukrainian children's folk music" manual contains the ethnic musicology analysis of religious carols at the typological characteristics , actual material, that confirms their characteristic features, and highlights the history of the church carols origin. Also the attempt to interpret their name is made, the transformation processes that occurred during their adaptation into folk environment are examined. A collection of songs from the publications of church carols throughout the history of their publication in Ternopil are various forms of publications. Collections of songs with the church carols publications throughout the whole history of their publication in Ternopil are represented by various forms of publications. During the twentieth century church carols were totally folklorised and, since 1990, began to publish in collections like folk songs.

  • Issue Year: 2013
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 188-193
  • Page Count: 6
  • Language: Ukrainian