The famous kobzar Taras Kompanichenko is a man of encyclopedic erudition and aristocratic manner. His openness, nobility, and cordiality attract people – and make turn them into his supporters, creating a new sort of community.
A new proof of this can be seen in the presentation of his unique album TERRA COSACCORUM (“Land of Cossacks,” a Latin name for the Ukrainian lands which was once used in Europe). The album is the joint product of the bands Huliaihorod and Khorea Kozatska, led by Kompanichenko.
The CD comprises 14 records which represent Ukrainian music from the 15th-18th centuries. Both bands perform authentic songs and instrumental music which they recorded in folklore expeditions, or found in ancient manuscripts or printed sources. Thus, Huliaihorod searches for traditional songs and dances, while Khorea Kozatska, for ancient aristocratic music.
“Ukraine has a big problem in what concerns our acquaintance with authentic Ukrainian culture,” said Kompanichenko. “The same concerns our international representation. It is like joint vessels. As we have a poor idea and a distorted image of ourselves, people elsewhere also know little of us. Thus, the release of TERRA COSSACORUM is a sort of tribute to those busy with the popularization of our music and songs in Ukraine and abroad.”
By the way, the CD was released with the financial support of Sibelle Strack-Zimmerman, Germany. The whole project was born at the Week of Ukrainian Culture in Bavaria last year. The idea belongs to the Ukrai-nian Viktoria Shcherban.
“I have been living in Germany for almost 20 years. Once, at one of the spectacular traditional Bavarian feasts, I almost cried: they have so many feasts, while we never mark ours in this way, wearing traditional costumes, with the traditional songs, dance, and cuisine. I felt an urge to tell the Germans that we, Ukrainians, also love our rich culture. I met some people with similar ideas, and we held a Ukrainian Week in Bavaria, inviting such bands as Huliaihorod and Khorea Kozatska. We were eager to acquaint the Germans with our authentic culture, and refute the stereotyped image of Ukrainians who only drink horilka (the Ukrainian word for vodka) and dance hopak. This image was foisted in during Soviet times.”
According to the performers, the presentation of the album is but a start. It will be folowed by shows of Ukrainian traditional dresses in Germany, Belgium, France, and Great Britain. The authentic traditional costumes were found during folklore field trips to Podillia, Polissia, and Central Ukraine (Ihor Perevertniuk and Volodymyr Shchybria’s collection). The shows also include reconstructed outfits worn by the nobles, as well as modern clothes in ethnic style (by the fashion house Shliakhetny Odiah). The show will be accompanied by songs and music by Khorea Kozatska and Huliaihorod.
