May There Always Be Sunshine (Nekhai Zavzhdy Bude Sontse): Anti-War Rally and Children's Leisure in Zaporizhzhia (Archival Color Film)

1975 · Amateur Film Studio of the Zhovtnevy Palace of Culture · History Museum of PJSC Dniprospetsstal

An exceptional, synchronized-sound archival color amateur documentary film titled "May There Always Be Sunshine" (Nekhai Zavzhdy Bude Sontse), produced by the Amateur Film Studio of the Zhovtnevy Palace of Culture at the Dniprospetsstal special metallurgy plant in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. CREATIVE TEAM: - Production & Camera: I. Rogalev, V. Kovalyov, N. Petrenko, B. Egorov, F. Egorov, V. Rekotov, L. Onufriev. - Narration / Voiceover: Mikhail Vulfovich. - Art Design: D. Tkachenko, F. Dombrovskyi. HISTORICAL CONTEXT & SYNOPSIS: Framed around the iconic Soviet anti-war theme, this film blends a strong pacifist narrative with spectacular mid-20th-century visual documentation of youth leisure, cultural life, and urban public spaces in Zaporizhzhia. The film consists of several core historical segments: 1. THE ANTI-WAR RALLY: Opens with an artistic collage of anti-war paintings leading into a massive public peace rally. It features children reciting poetry and a prominent speech by Yurii Mykhailovych Sahaidachnyi—a local Hero of the Soviet Union and decorated WWII artillery officer renowned for his actions during the Battle of the Dnieper. The segment also includes a symbolic appearance by a performer dressed as a traditional Zaporozhian Cossack, highlighting regional historical identity. 2. THE MARCH TO KHORTYTSIA ISLAND: Captures a large, organized youth procession hiking from 12th April Street, crossing the landmark Preobrazhensky Bridge, and entering Khortytsia Island. The film documents outdoor recreation, picnics, a live brass marching band, and open-air concerts by factory amateur performance groups. 3. "DUBOVYI HAI" PARK & AMUSEMENTS: Provides rare visual data on Zaporizhzhia’s central cultural park, "Dubovyi Hai" (Oak Grove). It captures athletic demonstrations, dance ensembles, an outdoor puppet theater performance, and various vintage amusement park rides, including swings, carousels, and the Ferris wheel. 4. SUNSHINE & THE BEACH: Concludes with children relaxing and playing on the sandy beaches of the Dnieper River, set to the titular song "May There Always Be Sunshine." PRODUCTION & CONSERVATION METADATA: - Digitization: Digitized from original master film reels by specialists at the Center for Urban History in Lviv (LivArch). - Archive: The physical master reels and production logs are permanently preserved in the collections of the History Museum of PJSC "Dniprospetsstal" in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. This film serves as a brilliant primary visual source for international researchers studying Soviet peace propaganda, the history of childhood and youth leisure (all-union camp culture), postwar urban topography of Zaporizhzhia, and late Soviet amateur cinematography. Original YouTube link: https://youtu.be/ngWEXf3ddWE Official YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JuryRylsky Curator Contact: rylskiju62@gmail.com / rylskii.iurii@dss.com.ua