Viktor Yanukovych instructed the government to take measures to pay tribute to Pavlo Chubynsky. According to the president’s instructions, until March 2013 the government led by Mykola Azarov has to take measures to organize and conduct the national contest for best monument to the author of Ukrainian National Anthem. Until January 2014 (the 175th anniversary of the birth of Ukrainian scholar, culture expert, and public figure) Kyiv State Administration must ensure the production and setting of the winner monument on the symbolic grave of Chubynsky located in Knyshov Memorial Park Complex in Boryspil.
In the fall of this year the poem “Ukraine has not yet perished,” which later became a national anthem turns 150. This poem was written in 1862. In 1917 this poem to the music by Mykhailo Verbytsky gained the status of an anthem and became the official national symbol of the Ukrainian People’s Republic. In 1939 the Anthem changed its geographical attribution and became the official anthem of the Carpathian Ukraine. Later Soviet government allowed each of the republics to have its own anthem. However, “Ukraine has not yet perished” was not considered as a variant in Ukraine. Top Communist party officials thought that the poem by Chubynsky could cause separatist sentiments. At that time the song symbol of the USSR became the poem of Pavlo Tychyna “Live, Ukraine, beautiful and strong” to the music by Anton Lebedynets.
Reincarnation and official recognition of the famous poem by Chubynsky with the music by Mykhailo Verbytsky was approved by the Parliament of Ukraine in January 1992. However, only in 2003 the song gained the status of an anthem. According to bill proposed by President Leonid Kuchma, National Anthem consisted of the first verse and chorus of the song.
Volodymyr VIATROVYCH, historian:
“Today, Ukrainian people do not show their respect to Pavlo Chubynsky the way they should. Everyone must know about him. I don’t recall that during the years of independence measures have been taken at the state level to pay tribute to this outstanding figure. I am afraid that the instructions now issued by the president are rather a formal thing which will not have any effect. The things that are now happening in humanitarian policies and the commemoration policies do not ensure honoring of people, who fought for Ukraine’s independence or in some ways contributed to its development.
“Unfortunately, this is not the first case of formal approach: this year marked the 65th anniversary of the Operation Vistula – one of the tragedies of the Ukrainian people. Then the president instructed the government to hold conferences and commemorate the victims of this operation. However, it was impossible to implement because the instructions were published only a day or two before the date.
“In countries where people respect their anthem as one of the symbols of the state, the tribute to its authors is paid at the highest level.”
Yevhen SAVCHUK, artistic director of the Dumka choir:
“I take it positively that there has been made an initiative to pay the tribute to the author of the Ukrainian anthem. Our choir is the protocol performer of the anthem. Personally I think of this poem with great respect and pride. Each time, when I sing the anthem of my country I feel absolute devotion to it, a deep feeling of patriotism, etc. I have these feeling not only because I am a singer, but also because I am a proud citizen of my country.
“Usually, when we sing the anthem, people stand up and listen with respect. Besides, the anthem is performed all over the world: for example, Ukrainian athletes sing it. However, the problem lies in the fact that unlike most athletes, not all of the state officials – people who work for this country, know the words of the anthem.
“I would also like to note that no attempts should be made to change the words of the main song of Ukraine. These lyrics were gained not through suffering of the people, who now want to change something, but by the people of the older generations who fought for this anthem. Besides, our legislators, if only given a reason, will start changing anthems all the time, just like laws.”
