The solemn opening’s attendees included Riabenky’s widow Nina Riabenka, members of the Shevchenko National Prize Committee of Ukraine Borys Oliinyk and Ivan Drach, Ambassador of Germany to Ukraine Christof Weil, artistic director of the Donetsk Opera and Ballet House Vadym Pysariev, local officials, friends, and fellow villagers. The deceased opera manager’s countrymen fully appreciate Riabenky’s contribution to the development of Ukrainian art. He has taken his place among famous countrymen, such as sculptor and filmmaker Ivan Kavaleridze, creator of the famous Zaporozhian Cossack March Yevhen Adamtsevych; author and soldier of the Ukrainian People’s Republic Army Borys Antonenko-Davydovych, and physicist Abram Ioffe.
Drach and Oliinyk said warm words of tribute, while Ambassador Weil read out a letter from the German director Mara Kurotschka who had directed The Flying Dutchman show (this work brought Riabenky and his creative team the top award of our country – the Shevchenko Prize. However, he received it posthumously...)
At the museum, visitors can see photos of Riabenky; his interviews; poetic dedication The Captain, authored by the former chief conductor of the Donbass Opera Vasyl Vasylenko on December 3, 2008; a poster of The Flying Dutchman; pipe and tobacco; sunglasses; watches, and silver statuette Ballerina. A manequin nearby wears Riabenky’s tuxedo, which the director usually wore while meeting guests at the entrance to the Donetsk Opera House.
His widow thanked his countrymen: “I want to bow to the land of Romny, his birthplace that gave me 34 years of happy life with this man. My husband loved this land and its people, valued their friendship...”
Riabenky stayed with his company and theater till his last breath, but his heart could not stand vicissitudes anymore.
Participants of the Riabenky memorial corner’s opening ceremony at the Romny Local History Museum laid flowers at the monument to Taras Shevchenko and the grave of Riabenky, who lies buried in the cemetery of his native village of Hudymy, Sumy region.
