Zanky

Zanky is a village (405 residents), Nizhyn Region, located on the left bank of Smolianka River. The settlement appeared in the mid-l6th c; there were sotnia HQ and artillery batteries here when Ukraine was administratively divided into regiments. In I860, into a family of squireen K. Adasovsky was born the most famous villager Maria Adasovsky (1860-1934). In remembrance of her native village, the diva-to-be assumed the stage-name of Zankovetska. She took part in the premiere of the first Ukrainian professional theater under Kropyvnytsky that took place in Yelisavetgrad (Kirovohrad) in 1882. In 1922, in honor of her 40th stage anniversary M. Zankovetska was awarded the title of the People's Artists of Ukraine for the first time in our country. The memorial museum of the actress was inaugurated in the village school in 1964 (now it is located in a nearby house); the monument to M. Zankovetska stands in the schoolyard (sculptor Yu. Stanetskiy 1984).