The presentation of the first volume of patriotic songs for soldiers, created by patrons, artists, and Foundation in Support of the Newspaper Den’s Initiatives, took place in a cozy historic courtyard on Andriivsky Uzviz.
“A lot of people are helping our military in the east now. We also decided to create a project with the support of our friends, partners, and artists, and released an album of patriotic songs about Ukrainian uprisings, battles, and victories. So that soldiers who fight for our victory could have spiritual and musical support in the form of songs by Ukrainian bands. And so this music would inspire them for further victories,” says president of the foundation Mykola HRYTSENKO.
“Our border guards said that when they were protecting a frontier post, fighters on the other side of the border sang Kuban folk songs. And our soldiers did not know almost anything else except for the anthem,” says deputy director of “Aqua-Service” ltd. Oleksandr YURKOV. “You cannot sing Russian or Soviet songs, because they are history now. We have plenty of wonderful singers, but very few know about them. That is why we decided to help by popularizing beautiful Ukrainian art among the soldiers, because they require patriotic idea and spiritual support the most now.”
The first series of CDs was released in 10,000 copies. It includes songs of marching nature by such bands as Haidamaky, Mandry, Tartak, Komu Vnyz, Tin Sontsia, Nezhehol, Ot Vinta, and SNPU.
“Since it had already happened that there is war in our land now, there must be all kinds of weapons: fire, cold, and cultural. We engaged in preparation of this cultural weapon. We gathered songs that relate to the situation in Ukraine,” explains Haidamaky frontman Oleksandr YARMOLA. “For example, the song ‘Yikhav kozak na viinonku’ (Cossack Rode to War) is a folk song, which we recorded specially for this album. When I was little and used to sing it, everything seemed so remote, like in a fairy-tale. But now, due to the ongoing events, this song acquired real sense.” The musician is convinced that more young bands with “explosive” songs will join the project in the future.
“In general, we plan to create several series, since there are a lot of beautiful patriotic songs performed by modern bands. These are songs that inspire for struggle for our country,” Yurkov adds.
“Truly unique events take place today,” says deputy chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan KOSHULYNSKY. “We all are creating new Ukrainian state today, we are recreating the nation. And this uniqueness gives us an opportunity to be fertile ground for future generations. Our experience, deeds can assist the growth of an incredible, self-sufficient, unique nation, which can give exceptional things to the world, spiritual ones, as well as its vision of the country’s future.”
Also, portable radio transmitters and thermal imagers were sent to Sich battalion fighters during the presentation of the Ukrainian songs album. “Hard and responsible days have come. We fight the enemy and move towards victory. And each person is trying to help our military,” Yurkov says.
