Історія театру

Voskresinnia Theater: A Life Journey
In 1990, director Yaroslav Fedoryshyn founded the "Voskresinnia" Theater in Lviv, inside the building of a former cinema.That same year, the theater instantly captivated audiences with its debut performance, "The Miracle of Saint Nicholas over Polovchyn." This production also marked the theater's first tour—a journey to the town of Turka in the picturesque Carpathian Mountains, a place where the magic of theater had never set foot before.
Following this, Ukrainian theatergoers were introduced for the first time to such productions as Paul Claudel’s "The Tidings Brought to Mary," Friedrich Hebbel’s "Judith," George Byron’s "Cain," and Luigi Pirandello’s "The Mountain Giants." Each of the theater's stagings is art breaking through the boundaries of the ordinary.
In 1991, the theater set its course toward global acclaim. Invitations to Częstochowa and Kraków opened the path to international recognition for "Voskresinnia."
"Voskresinnia" has become an ambassador of the unexpected—a theater without boundaries, where the stage is always a space for experimentation, bringing unforgettable impressions and captivating audiences from various cities across Ukraine and the world.
Blending contemporary forms and genres, the theater performs 150 shows annually, many of them on prestigious stages around the world. The company has been featured at festivals in Scotland, Egypt, Turkey, Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland, Germany, Serbia, the Netherlands, and other countries.
The "Voskresinnia" Theater lives not only on the stage but also on the streets. Open-air productions like "Gloria," Vasyl Derhach’s "The Holy and the Sinful," Karol Wojtyła’s "Job," "Meeting Prospero" based on William Shakespeare, and "Dreams after Kobzar" turn every street performance into a breathtaking, magical spectacle.
Every autumn, "Golden Lion"—"Voskresinnia" Theater's very own international festival—spreads its wings and wins people's hearts. It stands as one of the largest theatrical forums in Ukraine, uniting creative forces from all over the country and the globe.
Today, "Voskresinnia" is a true treasure of Ukrainian and world drama. It is an eternal glow, an unquenchable fire of theatrical art, where every performance is a journey through the very soul of theater.

It all started with a dream…
Every time they passed the former "Pioneer" cinema, young hearts full of energy at the dawn of their acting journeys could feel the spark of a true theatrical phenomenon.
"I would love to have a theater here," Yaroslav Fedoryshyn, the founder of "Voskresinnia" Theater, once said.

What was it? A twist of fate or the perfect moment to turn a dream into reality?

It was the fortunate theatrical path of courageous creators—actor and director Yaroslav Fedoryshyn alongside his wife Alla Fedoryshyna, actress Liudmyla Petrulenkova, actors Volodymyr Movchan and Volodymyr Kolchynskyi, artist Valeriy Tolmachov, and theater critic and head of the literary department Halyna Kanarska. Together, they left the past behind and confidently stepped into the unknown.

It was a creative voyage, a unique theatrical experiment where dreams became reality, and every step forward brought new impressions and challenges. Utter devotion to the idea and relentless work ultimately led to the fulfillment of this ambitious vision.

The time came to give the theater a name—one that, much like the mystery of Christ’s resurrection, would preserve the spirit of theatrical mystique. Thus, the luminous name "Voskresinnia" (Resurrection) was born, carrying within itself the birth of the new, a touch of mystery, and the theater's profound spirituality.

Director Yaroslav Fedoryshyn’s dream came true—"Voskresinnia" Theater found its place in the sun inside the building of the former "Pioneer" children's cinema. Though it lacked renovations, a grand stage, or a massive auditorium, every performance, every joyful face in the audience, and their first blessings carried the undeniable feeling that the theater was alive and breathing. It marked the beginning of a creative tandem, a theater of experiment.

From the traditional stage, the theater gradually ventured into street performances, unlocking a new aesthetic dimension. "Voskresinnia" became one of the pioneers in bringing theatrical spectacles and productions directly to the streets.

Many plays resonated for the very first time in Ukraine on the stage of "Voskresinnia" Theater, including August Strindberg’s "To Damascus," Luigi Pirandello’s "The Mountain Giants," Harold Pinter’s "The Homecoming," and others.

This is how the history of "Voskresinnia" Theater unfolded—a place where dreams and creativity intertwined into a unique, mysterious performance that, to this day, inspires audiences to believe in the boundless power of theatrical magic.

An Unstoppable Spirit.
What is theater to its creator?
An inexhaustible reservoir of inspiration…

Yaroslav Vasyliovych Fedoryshyn lived through theater; it possessed him, even when he left it behind the threshold of his city. His life was not merely connected to the theater—it was the very embodiment of the creativity that burned within his heart. Every production, every role, and every chord were created alongside his beloved wife, Alla Lukivna Fedoryshyna, Merited Artist of Ukraine. Together, they wove their own theatrical world, where life and art intertwined into a single, inseparable tapestry.

Yaroslav Fedoryshyn possessed a rare gift for peering into the soul of every actor. He loved his cast with a fatherly warmth, and it is this very love that holds the theater together to this day, keeping it a sacred place.

As a director, Yaroslav Fedoryshyn looked past the external shell of a play, seeking its heart—the heart capable of speaking to the audience in the language the Maestro understood perfectly: the language of art. His will, energy, and inner radiance formed an invisible sanctuary for the theater, for every role, and for every actor.

With his immense talent combined with a natural simplicity in communication, Yaroslav Fedoryshyn won acclaim not only in Ukraine but far beyond its borders.

The "Voskresinnia" Theater is his spiritual legacy—a place where actors and audiences alike become part of an incredible, unique world.

The Ensemble
Yaroslav Fedoryshyn succeeded in creating a unique theatrical home, where everyone feels like a vital and cherished part of a large creative family. It is something far greater than just a workplace—it is a sanctuary of inspiration, talent development, true calling, and love for art.
The theater team operates as a single, finely-tuned mechanism, set in motion by Yaroslav Vasyliovych alongside his wife, Alla Lukivna. As the parents of the theater, they nurtured generations of talents who now thrive within the "Voskresinnia" creative company, shaping an environment where every production gains new dimensions and meanings, becoming a landmark event for the audience.
The genuine magic of theatrical art that the audience witnesses at the "Voskresinnia" Theater is born from the close collaboration of the entire team: actors, directors, lighting designers, stagehands, playwrights, artists, administrators, and other creators. Everyone within the theater's collective pours a piece of their soul, emotions, and feelings into every performance, festival, or project, ensuring it is both masterfully crafted and unforgettable for the public.
"…and all the people who work in the theater, they are an inseparable part of this magic…"

Open-Air Theater
Open-air theater was born from Yaroslav Fedoryshyn’s vision to expand the boundaries of the theatrical space. The brilliant director took a bold step, choosing to transform cozy city streets and squares into a grand stage for spectacular performances, allowing even more Lviv residents and visitors to feel the touch of theatrical magic.
Yaroslav Fedoryshyn was one of the pioneer directors in Ukraine to bring theater to the streets, creating outdoor productions and unveiling the true aesthetic of open-air performances. Later on, he established the street theater festival within the "Golden Lion," which became a true celebration of emotions for both locals and guests of Lviv.

Street spectacles and carnivals filled with fireworks, music, joy, and talented stilt-walkers captivate the hearts of the audience, offering a glimpse into the spectacular kind of theater that existed in ancient times.

Among the theater’s most highly anticipated and beloved street productions are "Angels Descend from Heaven," "Gloria," "Job," "Dreams after Kobzar," "Meeting Prospero," and "Pas de Deux."

In every corner of Lviv, Yaroslav Fedoryshyn saw the potential for theatrical performances that would elevate the city's spirit and draw in those searching for wonders, excitement, fresh impressions, and unforgettable emotions.

"Golden Lion" Festival"
Every autumn, an event comes to life in Lviv, uniting creators and audiences around a single vision—the spirit of creativity, experimentation, and innovation. This is a place where talents meet, experiences are shared, and connections are made with diverse creative souls: the "Golden Lion" International Theater Festival.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of Yaroslav Fedoryshyn and his refined directorial taste, the festival has become an indispensable cornerstone of Lviv's cultural and theatrical life.

The "Golden Lion" offers more than just a chance to witness spectacular plays and performances; it provides a unique window into theater through the eyes of different cultures and nationalities. Under Yaroslav Fedoryshyn's guidance, the festival gathered theater practitioners from all over the globe, elevating it to an event of truly international scale and broadening the cultural horizons of its audience. The uniqueness of the festival lies in the fact that everyone feels like an active participant in a grand and unparalleled experiment.

Since its inception, the "Golden Lion" Festival has welcomed over 300 theaters and 4,000 actors from more than 60 countries worldwide.

Each year, audiences eagerly await the "Golden Lion" to once again discover new theatrical masterpieces and experience "classics through the lens of experimentation." Against all odds, the festival has never ceased to exist, remaining resilient even through the most challenging times of the pandemic and war.

A Place That Inspires
Stepping across the threshold of the "Voskresinnia" Theater, the audience embarks on a journey through a world of creative experimentation with direction, scenography, costumes, and stage design, extending even to movement and physicality. Every production, no matter how complex, leaves the viewer with hope, warmth, and light in their heart.
"Voskresinnia" is a place where people come not just for the performances, but to capture a piece of the creative team's soul and find their own spiritual inspiration. After all, every play is more than mere entertainment—it carries a depth of thought and emotion that stays with the audience long after they leave, weaving itself into their hearts and minds.

From the vibrant youth to the older generation, the audience of the "Voskresinnia" Theater today is bound together by a shared love for art, a quest for deeper understanding, and a desire to broaden their horizons. And so, the theater continues its creative voyage,