Lehenda Ukrainian Dance Company invites you to share in the Ukrainian Dance phenomenon!

Lehenda is based in Melbourne, Australia. Under the Artistic Direction of Merited Artist of Ukraine, Melanie Moravski Dechnicz, the Company aims to share the vibrant Ukrainian culture.

We dance to share stories and legends of times gone by. The ancient song and dance ritual of Vesnianky, the tragic tales of the Rusalky. From the most historic dances to the contemporary we dance to tell a narrative, to express our past, present and future. Like Lybid, one of the legendary founders of Kyiv, we share the spirit of discovery of the renowned Ukrainian choreographers and artists that have come before us.

Lehenda Ukrainian Dance Company is made up of over 30 dancers who perform with pride, passion and embody the true soul of Ukrainian culture. The strength, beauty and grace of Ukrainian Cossack dancers, combine to give you the contagious energy, spectacle, colour and spirit that is, Ukrainian dance! 

In their 10 year history Lehenda has wowed audiences across Australia, Canada and the USA. Lehenda perform regularly at many mainstream festivals, events and private functions and have also toured with 4 full length productions: KAZKA – fairytale of love, loss ... and a mysterious blue fox (national and international 2015, 2016, 2024), LEGEND – Stories of a Nation (national 2018) RAZOM – Two Nations one Spirit (national 2019), LEHENDA – Ukrainian Soul, Australian Soil (2022, 2023) and Dance Film ‘Pryvit’ (2021).

“We dance to share stories and legends of times gone by . . . Like Lybid, one of the legendary founders of Kyiv, we share the spirit of discovery of the renowned Ukrainian choreographers and artists that have come before us.” Melanie Moravski Dechnicz (Artistic Director).

When contemplating the design for the Lehenda logo we were struck by the image of Lybid, her embracing profile, beauty and strength as she stands beside her brothers moving forward in the spirit of discovery and adventure. The graphic was a combination of this profile, formed by the motif of ribbons in motion to create a Cossack dancer in flight. This grace and strength present in Ukrainian legends, its peoples psyche, artists and dancers throughout history, forever forward moving - like Lybid discovering Kyiv on her boat, hair and ribbons flowing in the wind.”

— Stephan Moravski, scenic and graphic design