Bravo to the master: the Yakub Kolas National Academic Drama Theater celebrated the 90th anniversary of Tadeusz Kokshtys

The benefit of the People's Artist of Belarus Tadeusz Kokshtys at the Yakub Kolas National Academic Drama Theater gathered fans of the work of this bright actor. The evening was timed to coincide with the 90th anniversary of the patriarch of the stage, whose name is inscribed in golden letters in the history of the national theatrical art.

The older generation remembers him Truffaldino from "The Servant of Two Masters", Rasplyuev from "Krechinsky's Wedding", Kochkarev from "Marriage", Gastritis from "Evening" (for this role he received the State Prize of the BSSR), Taras from "Taras on Parnassus", the Fool from "King Lear".

Young people admire his stage transformations in the performances that are currently on the Kolasov stage – "The Most Desirable" and "Uncle's Dream". The latter, based on the novel of the same name by Fyodor Dostoevsky, was chosen by the People's Artist for the benefit and shone in the role of the Prince, creating a deep tragicomic image of his hero.

During his long creative life (over 65 years) at the Kolasov Theater, the People's Artist played more than 150 roles, many of which were included in the golden treasury of Belarusian theatrical art. And in his 90s, he continues to play and deservedly receives the biggest award for an actor – an ovation from the audience.

Today it is difficult to imagine Tadeusz Kokshtys outside of serving His Majesty the Theater, but schoolteachers predicted his future as an artist. The ability to draw was passed on by his father, who was the first draftsman in the village. The future People's Artist hails from the settlement of Kholkhlovo, now an agro-town of the Molodechno district of the Minsk region. His childhood years were spent in his native village occupied by the Germans, where a boy with his mother and two younger brothers experienced the full horror of the war years. In an interview, Tadeusz Kokshtys said: when he had to play in plays on the theme of the Great Patriotic War, he did not need the director's tips, he went on stage with his war, which left notches on his heart for life.

Reference "BB": Tadeusz Kokshtys — People's Artist of Belarus, laureate of the State Prize of the BSSR, knight of the Orders of Francis Skaryna and the Badge of Honor, winner of the highest award of the Belarusian Union of Theatrical Figures — the Crystal Peacock prize.

He graduated from school in Volozhin, from where he went to the capital to enroll in the art faculty of the Theater and Art Institute. But, as it turned out, applicants had to submit homework in different techniques, which the guy did not have, as well as the appropriate primary education. Therefore, without hesitation, he applied for acting. At the entrance exams, the young man drew the attention of the People's Artist of the BSSR, Professor Dmitry Orlov, who took him on his course. During the years of study, the teacher was able to reveal the student's natural acting abilities and make him fall in love with the theater.

And Alina's sister and two nephews, who came from Brest and Krakow to congratulate a loved one, became professional artists.

After graduating from the university in 1958, Tadeusz Kokshtys joined the Kolasov troupe, which together with him was joined by other graduates of Orlov's course, who later became famous actors – Gennady Garbuk, Georgy Dubov, Tamara Shashkina, Evgeny Shaban. The People's Artist recalls his debut on the Vitebsk stage – the role of the Devil in the play "Nesterka". It was a small episode, but it defined the role of the actor as the creator of bright, witty and comedic images. For many years he was called the great master of the episode. And then the main roles came. Tadeusz Kokshtys was lucky enough to play with famous masters: Alexander Ilyinsky, Timofey Sergeitchik, Nikolai Zvezdochetov, Anatoly Trus, who became his mentors. And today, the People's Artist serves as an example for young people who learn from him not only professional skills, but also dedication and high service to the theater.

The name of Tadeusz Kokshtys is also known to film lovers. He starred in the films "Sign of Trouble", "Little Fighter", "Star Venus", "Talash", "Polesskaya Chronicle" and others.

The anniversary of Tadeusz Kokshtys has become a significant event in the cultural life not only of Vitebsk, but also of the whole of Belarus. The Patriarch of the Kolasov stage was congratulated by the head of state. The welcome address of Alexander Lukashenko was read out by the Minister of Culture of Belarus Anatoly Markevich.

Congratulations to the People's Artist were sent by Chairman of the regional Executive Committee Alexander Subbotin, Chairman of the regional Council of Deputies Dmitry Demidov, Chairman of the Vitebsk City Executive Committee Alexey Geroev.

At the end of the festive evening, the hero of the day read the monologue of the Fool from the play "King Lear", dear to him. He carried this role through the years, as it meets his feelings and principles of life. And he also quoted the lines of Yanka Kupala: "I adplaciy to the people, chym mots may magla ...", which he can also subscribe to.

Photo by Dmitry OSIPOV.

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