75 years ago, in the picturesque town of Kitsman, Bukovyna, in the family of teachers Mykhailo and Sofia Ivasyuk, a son was born and raised who was destined to become a song symbol of Ukraine, a standard of conscience, honor, truth, purity, a measure of the talent of the Ukrainian nation, that great figure of Ukraine whose song became the national pride.
On the occasion of the great composer’s birthday, on March 17, the Ivan Franko National House hosted a creative laboratory “Take My Song with You – I’ve Sung My Happiness Into It.” The artistic event brought together creative teams from the Drohobych community to celebrate Ivasyuk’s work.
The event began with a minute of mourning for all the fallen defenders in the war with the Russian aggressor. Afterwards, all those present had the opportunity to enjoy performances by the Drohobych Municipal Chamber Choir “Legend”, the Honored Carpathian Song and Dance Ensemble “Verkhovyna”, the folk dance ensemble “Verkhovyna”, an ensemble of teachers from Drohobych Children’s Music School No. 1, and a member of the pop vocal studio “Solo” Olha Blauciak. Lilia Kobilnyk, a researcher of the works of composer Volodymyr Ivasyuk and author of the stage concert composition “Unknown Ivasyuk,” also spoke at the event.
The exclusive guest of the event was the composer’s sister Halyna Ivasiuk, who told the audience firsthand many details about the man who wrote unique and deeply meaningful songs that have become a valuable treasure of Ukrainian culture.
Volodymyr Khanas, Head of the Department of Culture and Tourism Development, addressed the audience with a welcoming speech.
“Today, the Ukrainian community honors the memory of its son, who made a creative, national breakthrough in a difficult time for Ukraine. We must remember that Volodymyr Ivasyuk lived and worked at a time when our country was occupied by the Soviet regime. He was creating at a time when the Bolshevik government was carrying out total Russification. It took a lot of courage, patriotism, and love for his people and their cultural heritage to create what we have today. Ivasyuk became the “foundation” that did not allow Ukrainians to die. Through his work, he proved that the people began to return to their own. Today we thank Mrs. Halyna and the whole family for Ivasyuk,” said Volodymyr Khanas.
“At all times, our enemies have fiercely hated and tried to destroy everything Ukrainian: culture, language, music, song. Especially Ivasyuk’s song. They were afraid of it, silenced it, persecuted it, but it lived, sounded, and flew around the world. The composer paid with his life for these songs. The authorities of the time killed Ivasyuk, but the Bolshevik executioners could not kill his song.
Streets, avenues, art schools, and music societies in Ukraine are named after Volodymyr Ivasyuk. A music school in Ivasyuk’s hometown of Kitsman is also named after him. Very soon, an educational institution in our local community will be named after Volodymyr Ivasyuk. On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the composer’s birth, the Stebnytsia Music School and the museum room will be named after him. Therefore, its director Halyna Lemekh came on stage to address the audience with a welcoming speech.
The creative event ended with a joint performance of the world-famous “Chervona Ruta”.
The event was organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism Development of the Kyiv City Council, with Ulyana Voyat and Ivan Sekh as hosts.