Kyiv seminary students meet with People’s Artist Larisa Kadochnikova

On February 20, 2026, students of Kyiv’s theological schools met with People’s Artist of Ukraine Larisa Kadochnikova. This was reported by the website of the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary (KDAiS).

The actress, best known for her role as Marichka in the film "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors", shared her memories of working on the movie. She recounted that during filming, the team under the direction of Sergei Parajanov essentially lived in the Hutsul region to better absorb the atmosphere of Mykhailo Kotsiubynsky’s work. The film, which became a classic of Ukrainian “poetic cinema,” brought international recognition to the national film industry.

Larisa Kadochnikova noted that her creative path was closely connected with figures such as Yuri Ilyenko and Ivan Mykolaichuk. According to her, it was Parajanov who introduced her to the Ukrainian audience, and Mykolaichuk who helped her gain a deeper understanding of the spirit of the Hutsul region.

During the meeting, the seminary students asked questions about the actress’s career and the history of Ukrainian cinema. At the conclusion, Archimandrite Rafail, on behalf of the rector of the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary, Archbishop Silvestr of Bilohorodka, and the students, thanked the guest for the meeting, after which a group commemorative photo was taken.

As previously reported, Kyiv’s theological schools will hold the annual student conference on March 10.