Nonna Kronidivna Koperzhynska (; 1 May 1920 – 10 June 1999) was a Soviet and Ukrainian stage and film actress, People’s Artist of the Ukrainian SSR (1967). Winner of the ''Kyiv Pectoral'' Theater Award (1995).

Early life and education

Nonna Koperzhynska was born on 1 May 1920 in

Kyiv Kyiv, also spelled Kiev, is the capital and most populous city of Ukraine. It is in north-central Ukraine along the Dnieper River. As of 1 January 2021, its population was 2,962,180, making Kyiv the seventh-most populous city in Europe. Kyi ...

. When she was 2 years old, her father died. Then Koperzhynska moved to Donbas where her mother worked until 1937. Later her mother was transferred to work in Kyiv and they moved back there. In 1938, Koperzhynska entered the Kyiv Theater Institute where she took courses with Amvrosy Buchma. Soon her talent was noticed by Ukrainian director

Oleksandr Dovzhenko Oleksandr Petrovych Dovzhenko or Alexander Petrovich Dovzhenko ( uk, Олександр Петрович Довженко, ''Oleksandr Petrovych Dovzhenko''; russian: Алекса́ндр Петро́вич Довже́нко, ''Aleksandr Petro ...

and Koperzhynska made her film debut in film '' Shchors'' directed by Dovzhenko. In 1941, Koperzhynska had to interrupt her studies because the

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

began. After the war she returned the Kyiv Theater Institute and in 1945 played a role in

Hnat Yura Hnat Petrovych Yura ( uk, Гнат Петрович Юра, ; also Gnat Yura; – January 18, 1966) was a Soviet and Ukrainian director, actor of theatre and film, pedagogue. He directed two films, and appeared on screen six times during the ...

’s play that became her student’s diploma work.

Career

In 1946, Koperzhynska was accepted into the troupe of Ivan Franko Kyiv Academic Ukrainian Drama Theater, where she worked until the end of her life. In 1952 Koperzhynska starred in the film ''Stolen Happiness''. She became recognized by the public after her roles in the films ''

Chasing Two Hares ''Chasing Two Hares'' ( uk, За двома зайцями, Za dvoma zaitsiamy), also known as ''A Kyiv Comedy'', is a 1961 Ukrainian comedy film directed by Viktor Ivanov based on the eponymous play by Mykhailo Starytsky. Plot In Kyiv at the b ...

'' (1961) and '' Queen of the Gas Station'' (1963). In 1967, Koperzhynska was awarded the title of People’s Artist of the Ukrainian SSR. Nonna Koperzhynska died on 10 June 1999 in Kyiv. She is buried in

Baikove Cemetery Baikove Cemetery ( uk, Байкове кладовище) is a historic cemetery memorial in Holosiiv Raion of Kyiv, Ukraine. It is a National Historic Landmark of Ukraine and is known as a necropolis of distinguished people. It was established i ...

alongside her husband.

Commemoration

A memorial plaque in honor of Nonna Koperzhynska also known as the Mother of the Ukrainian Theater was erected on 9 June 9, 2009 at 2 Mykhailivska Street in Kyiv, where the actress lived since 1981. In 2019 a book “People's Artist. About Nonna Koperzhynska” by Oleg Vergelis was published.

Filmography (selected)

* '' Shchors'' (1939) *''Stolen Happiness'' (1952) * ''

Marina's Destiny ''Marina's Destiny'' (russian: Судьба Марины, translit=Sud’ba Mariny) is a 1953 Soviet drama film directed by Viktor Ivchenko. It was entered into the 1954 Cannes Film Festival. Plot The film takes place in Ukraine, in the villag ...

'' (1953) * ''

'' (1961) * '' Queen of the Gas Station'' (1963) * ''Rome, 17'' (1972) * ''Love Island'' (1995)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Koperzhynska, Nonna 1920 births 1999 deaths 20th-century Ukrainian actresses Actresses from Kyiv Recipients of the title of Merited Artist of Ukraine Recipients of the title of People's Artists of Ukraine Recipients of the Order of the Red Banner of Labour Soviet film actresses Soviet stage actresses Ukrainian film actresses Ukrainian stage actresses Burials at Baikove Cemetery