100 years later. How the Ukrainian "Shchedryk" is connected to the now-destroyed Pokrovsk

Learn about the history of the world-famous Christmas carol Shchedryk, which began as a political message from Kyiv to the world 100 years ago, writes Politico. It conveys the same message today – LIGA.net summarizes the article.Shchedryk: Not Just a Christmas SongFor Ukrainians, it is destroyed. Pokrovsk, where this Christmas the Ukrainian Armed Forces are still fighting the Russians, evokes associations with the oldest cultural heritage – carols and shchedrivkas.The Western audience knows the most famous carol, Carol of the Bells from the movie "Home Alone." But this winter, for Ukrainians, it has a more touching meaning, as Pokrovsk is a city closely associated with its composer, Mykola Leontovych.Leontovych did not write his Shchedryk directly in Pokrovsk, but the city played a crucial role in the development of his music, Ukrainian patriotism, and led to the persecution of the composer and his murder by the Cheka in 1921.Read alsoChristmas on two dates: who interfered with the holiday calendar and why?Leontovych lived in Pokrovsk in the first decade of the 20th century, where he taught at a music school and even conducted a choir of railway workers. It was in this eastern city that he drew inspiration from Ukrainian folk traditions."Leontovych arrived in Pokrovsk with only a bag on his back. There, he developed as a composer and attracted the attention of the secret services by defending workers' rights. He even sang 'La Marseillaise' with a local choir that he conducted," – says Larysa Semenko, author of the book "Our Silent Genius Leontovych".Semenko also adds that the Ukrainian character of Shchedryk is very obvious."It was not just a Christmas song, but a Ukrainian cultural message to the world, a greeting card of deeply rooted spirituality and resilience of the nation in the face of a threat. The same threat that our nation is still fighting against," says Semenko.A songful struggle for independence Many consider Leontovych a hero who, a century ago, used music to oppose Russia. Similarly, Ukrainians are now taking up arms, shells, and drones to preserve their national identity from Moscow's encroachments, writes Politico.In 1916, Shchedryk premiered in Kyiv. It was later noticed as a potential hit by the leaders of the Ukrainian People's Republic. In 1919, the new government decided to send the national choir on a tour of Europe with Leontovych's choral songs to promote recognition of the new country.Read also"When are you having kids?": How to avoid arguing with relatives at Christmas – advice from a psychologistThe world did not recognize the Ukrainian nation then, but Shchedryk earned it a place in world culture. "Even before the translation, the song was a success. In Paris, Prague, and all over Europe, princes and kings were impressed to learn that there was such a rich and ancient culture," – says Semenko.Before the European tour, the choir singers were forced to evacuate to western Ukraine because the Bolsheviks had seized Kyiv. After their European success, they traveled to Canada and the US, bringing Shchedryk to the United States in 1922."Shchedryk became a hit and was performed as an encore all the time. It charmed Europe and America and helped Ukrainians declare their nation and state to the world," says researcher Anatoliy Paladiychuk.It was not until 1936 that the American composer of Ukrainian origin, Peter Wilhousky, wrote the English lyrics, adapting Shchedryk into the version known in the West as Carol of the Bells for a radio broadcast on NBC.Leontovych did not live to see his worldwide success. The Soviet Cheka killed him in January 1921 at his parents' home in the Vinnytsia region. Ukrainians only learned the truth about his death after the opening of Soviet archives in the 1990s.Just as the Russian authorities now see a threat in Ukrainian culture in the occupied territories, 100 years ago there was a great terror against Ukrainian freedom fighters, politicians, and educators. Leontovych was one of many who were killed.How history is repeating itself near PokrovskMore than 100 years after Leontovych's murder, Russia is once again trying to destroy Ukrainian statehood, the publication writes. Although the fighting for Pokrovsk has been going on for more than 18 months, Moscow claims to have occupied it.The Ukrainian Armed Forces insist that they still control some areas of the city. Kyiv says that small groups of Russian soldiers are entering the city to pose for photos with flags for propaganda purposes, but do not fully control the ruins."Our active operations in the Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad agglomeration area continue. In the city, we have managed to regain control over about 16 square kilometers in the northern part in the last few weeks," says the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Oleksandr Syrskyi.He is convinced that Ukraine will continue to fight for the city and strengthen its position there.American historian Timothy Snyder says the story of Shchedryk underscores the connection between Russian colonialism a century ago and Russia's aggression against Ukraine now."Ukrainian culture is important to the world, but our understanding of it is still minimal," Snyder states. "The murder of Leontovych and the transformation of Shchedryk into a global hit is just one example of this colonial history and the struggle that continues during Russia's current invasion of Ukraine."Read alsoFrom Transcarpathian korchun to Slobozhanshchyna shcherba: 12 Christmas dishes for Christmas Eve from all over Ukraine

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