This work is devoted to Vasyl Stus’ poem “The Merry Cemetery(Veselyi Tsvyntar)”.

Vertep is the Ukrainian Christmas tradition of the nativity story and other mystery plays presented through portable puppet theater and drama. Various scenes symbolize the victory of good over evil. However, in Stus' poem everything is upside down. Heaven is on the ground, Hell in the sky, Angels are singing about evil, and the Devil is spinning the world around. But don't worry, it's just a play. Or is it?