Ivan Lenio is one of the frontmen of Ukrainian folk rock band Kozak System. This band has won the love of Ukrainian and foreign audience long time ago. In less than two years the musicians shot a few video clips and finished working on the first album Shablia (Sword). The musicians create an excellent show on stage in a self-created style they called cossack rock, which combines the melody of Ukrainian and Balkan music, punk, ska, and rock music. The practice of involving a wide circle of Ukrainian artists in their project has become a hallmark of the band. Also, such performers and poets as Sashko Polozhynsky, Andrii Sereda, Katia Chilly, Dmytro Lazutkin, Yurii Izdryk, Serhii Zhadan participated in the creation of the first album. The best-remembered is perhaps the joint project of Kozak System and Taras Chubai. The idea to invite Ivan Lenio to Den’s editorial office occurred to Larysa Ivshyna after she got acquainted with the band’s music at The Days of Ukriane in the United Kingdom: Kozak System’s performance in London caused a wave of admiration among the local audience. Interlocutors discussed the urgent issues from social and political life of the country, and shared ideas about the promotion of Ukrainian culture in the world.
“Introducing Ukrainian identity to the world using only English would not work, because it is unnatural,” Lenio thinks. “The only band that succeeded at gaining world fame without abandoning their native language and culture is Rammstein. In order for a Ukrainian band to achieve the same level, it must have a very solid musical and ideological foundation. Besides, these artists must be genuine not only on stage, but in real life as well!”
The guest was sincerely interested in Den’s Library. He expressed his desire to show the books to other musicians from the band and also Kozak System’s fans in Ukraine and abroad.
“The best Ukrainian contemporary writers work with us on creation of the next album,” shares the musician. “Among them are Serhii Zhadan, Irena Karpa, Yurii Izdryk, Dmytro Lazutkin. They help us create an image which we will be able to export to Europe. Today it is not enough to know how to swing your sword around, you must also be wise!”
You can read the interview with Ivan Lenio in the upcoming issues of the newspaper or watch it on Den TV.
