Ukrainian
musicians
at war
At the beginning of the war, it was music that supported the spirit of millions of Ukrainians in their resistance to the Russian army. The song "Oi yu luzi chervona kalyna" (Oh, the Red Viburnum in the Meadow), which was performed at the beginning of the full-scale invasion by Ukrainian musician and now military man Andrii Khlyvnyuk, became a symbol of the struggle of Ukrainians against Russian aggression. In 2022, this song of 17th century Cossacks, which was also the anthem of Ukrainian Sich Riflemen during the First World War, once again became an unofficial symbol of the struggle of Ukrainians for their independence. Almost a hundred years later, thanks to Khlyvnyuk's collaboration with Pink Floyd and Kiffness, listeners from all over the world heard our song “Oh, the Red Viburnum in the Meadow.”
In this section, we want to tell you the stories of Ukrainian musicians who, with songs and weapons, continue our centuries-old struggle for freedom and independent statehood.
We would like to believe that all of them will return to their main occupation. However, the lives of some of them have already been tragically cut short during hostilities.
The project was initiated by the Ukrainian Institute and was produced in partnership with Jazzography.in.ua.