The Slovak Folk Art Collective (SĽUK) mourns the death of an important personality and meritorious artist, Milan Rastislav Ševčík, who passed away forever January 14. Ševčík was a dancer, dance teacher and also head of the SĽUK Dance Ensemble. They published the sad news on the social network.
He joined the well-known dance troupe in 1951 and in November 1955 he became a soloist. “Until then, he danced demanding solo parts without a decree, as a choir dancer. He excelled in perfect dance technique and natural stage, dance and acting expression,” they remembered their member.
“Milan Ševčík was able to interpret dances from various regions of Slovakia convincingly and at a high professional level: from eastern Slovakia (Starry night, Záletník), from central Slovakia (Podpolianska mlaď, Z kokavské kolešní, Tanec valachov) and dances from Myjava and others,” SĽUK does not spare words of praise.
Choreographer Juraj Kubánka cast him in the main role in The Tale of Jánošík and the Mountain Boys. “There were rumors in the dance troupe that the Cuban woman must have lost her mind. However, Milan managed this role in such a way that, as soon as he appeared on the stage, chills went down one’s spine. His dance performance, full of tension, inner strength and persuasiveness, fascinated the audience.” said the choreographer in his book Returns to the Irreversible.
Also thanks to Milan Ševčík, it became the top final number of SĽUK for many years. In 1956, the artist shone in the main title role at a ceremonial performance on the occasion of the opening of television broadcasting in Slovakia, in the PKO in Bratislava, in the full-length issue of Martin Ťapák and Tibor Andrašovan “Wedding under the Tatras”. Ševčík left an indelible mark.
“His dance technique and expression, as well as his masculine appearance, caught the attention of Juraj Kubánka and Tibor Andrašovan in the gypsy dance “Vlachiko”, in the Czech dance “Rejdovák” (A. Košťál, L. Hynková), in the Indonesian dance “Serampang dua blas” (J. Kubánka, T. Andrašovan – after a tour in Indonesia). He excelled in the character of Jánošík and was also interesting in the dance “Painted bandits” (J. Kubánka, T. Andrašovan). He was different in every dance, he knew how to capture the character and atmosphere of the dance, and what was evident in his performance, he danced not only excellently, but also enjoyed it.” SĽUK continues to write.
After retirement, he continued to work as a teacher. “Milan Ševčík also acted in film and television not only as a dancer, but also in minor acting roles, mostly connected with dance performance. As a young dancer, he also acted in the film Rodná zem. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the founding of SĽUK, Minister Miroslav Válek awarded him the title of Meritorious Artist on 19/9/1969,” remind the management and members of SĽUK.
